A Reluctant Dinner Invitation

 

 I’m sure we all played the familiar game: who are the three people you would like to invite to dinner and why. The guests may have likely included Saint Theresa of Calcutta, Martin Luther King, Mary, St. Paul, and my parents. Of course, it was a given… Jesus was always at the top of my list. The proposed dinner guests would invariably change depending on where we were at given points in our lives, but Jesus would be a constant. 

However, after reading Luke these many weeks I might rethink inviting Jesus to dinner. Really, he always tends to make a scene or create a disturbance, making the guests uneasy. We could find ourselves possibly siding with the Pharisees as they raised their eyebrows at Jesus and his disheveled group of “hangers on” who tended to eat and drink to excess. And remember the woman who in the middle of having a “meltdown,” crashes an important dinner party and bathes Jesus' feet with her tears and hair? Really! And, what about Jesus taking poor Martha to task for complaining about her sister who instead of helping with dinner preparation, hangs around with all the men in the dining room. And now here in Luke 14:1,7-14  he is not only telling us who to invite to our party, but where they should sit when they do arrive. Frankly, Jesus can be an unconventional risky guest at the very least. 

Although it can be confusing and at times disturbing, there is a consistent theme in Luke’s gospels. He warns us about becoming too comfortable with convention, and protocol for protocol sake. Self-imposed cultural niceties fast become devices to exclude “others” who are different from us. Of course it’s easier for us to associate with those who are just like us and reinforce our comfort zone. But perhaps we should ask why do they make us uncomfortable? Do we see in them, something about ourselves that make us uncomfortable? Perhaps we believe that associating with the “disenfranchised” cannot help us socially, economically, or emotionally…but what about spiritually?

Keep your eye on the prize

 

Once again Jesus is wasting no time in making his way to Jerusalem: “He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.” (Luke 13:22-30) Because we know the end of the story, the very mention of Jerusalem strikes an ominous chord since it meant rejection by his followers and the horror of the cross. Along the way some unnamed person in the crowd asks Jesus, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” Whatever his motives, the enquirer may have been aware of the increasing opposition from some religious leaders as Jesus' message continue to inspire increased interest. Jesus did not answer the question directly but in typical fashion answered his question with a question and asked, “Will the saved be you?”

Jesus was speaking to a crowd made up mostly of Jews who faithful to the Hebrew Scriptures, tried to live in basic accordance with them. In giving his answer, Jesus was not addressing a faithless audience. He was talking to religious people, most of whom assumed that they would go to heaven because they were good Jews. 

He provides his audience and us important and practical lessons on the subject of his Kingdom which he says requires our earnest effort and  our urgent attention. It requires our dedicated focus because the entrance door is narrow. It requires our urgent attention because the door is soon to be closed. It requires our careful self-examination because once it is closed, the door will be eternally-closed.

Our Lord did not say, “Good question sir! Now, let’s divide up into groups and come up with a consensus as to what each of you thinks about what I said and report back.” Jesus was in a hurry; he’s moving quickly, his time is limited and he wasn’t interested in speculation about theology. He was concerned about the personal salvation of his listeners. So, rather than opening it up for discussion, Jesus gave a command that applied the question to his hearers’ hearts: “Strive to enter by the narrow door.”

Strive implies a concerted effort. I am reminded of our young competitive Olympians whose dedication to their sport is all consuming. It can be said that every athlete who wins strives to win. They invest great energy and effort into winning. It is not an accident if they win. It is the result of deliberate and sustained effort and commitment.

The fact that the door is narrow implies that it takes some deliberate thought and effort to go through it. There aren’t many doors into this “place,” so that we can’t take our pick. There is one and only one door which is Jesus Christ. He alone is the way, the truth, and the light. “No one comes to the Father except by Him” says John. There isn’t one great big door that’s easy to find and we can stroll through without giving it much thought. There is one narrow door. 

Jesus isn’t talking about being united with God by works or human effort. He is talking about our attitude toward it. He has been telling us all along that nothing takes precedence over our relationship with God. Nothing on earth should get in the way and that our relationship with Him and our quest is not just good for an occasional stimulating theological discussion but requires living in a God centered way through love and Jesus’ teachings. Our journey is not easy and we, like the Olympic athletes, must dedicate our lives to the goal and strive to enter by the narrow door every day of our lives.

 

I Come to Bring Fire to the Earth

 Luke’s Gospel (Luke 12:49-56) appears to be a departure from his preceding accounts. In earlier writings he reminds us not to be “foolish” and to be at the ready but He also tells us that God’s Kingdom is ours and w need not  be afraid. So his message: "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!"

History, by its very definition is an account of the past which while a recording of what has transpired, cannot be separated from the time and events of the day in which it was written. Nor for that matter, can it be read in a vacuum. Likewise, history’s account is influenced by the author’s own perspective and his audience. And so it is with Luke, who while conditioned by traditions that he has inherited, is focused on his goals for relating the story of Jesus to his community.

What we learn from history is projected forward and applied to our own current day personal experience. As interesting as the historical context of Luke’s day may be, we ask what we can learn from this account and what does it say about us and our lives today. Jesus’ words set in the time of Luke were written for an audience that lived almost a century after Jesus died. This period reflects the turmoil of Luke’s day: there was wealth; poverty; political domination; dissension among the ranks of the new Christian communities, and a growing impatience created by the apparent "delay" of Jesus’ anticipated return.

No doubt that Luke is providing insight for what is in store for Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem. Here, we get a glimpse of Jesus’ humanity when he says what stress I am under until it is completed! Jesus proclaims that the Kingdom of God is a “new world order” that is centered on the power of love not the love of power. As with the “rich fool” those governed by wealth, status and power will live in a “house divided" on so many different levels. Families, nations and communities will live in turmoil. There is no other way to peace but through love, forgiveness and humility. So, when we look at our world beset by violence, war with thousands of people seeking refuge, and a government in our country beholden to party affiliation and not the people it represents, how does this gospel speak to us in 2022?

Gird your loins and light your lamps

 

Last week’s Gospel reminded us to keep our “eye on the prize” and not be distracted from anything that gets in the way of our relationship with God. As with Mark, Luke’s Gospel (Luke 12:32-48) does not linger and is focused Jesus' making his way to Jerusalem. The message is clear in its words and its cadence. There’s no time to waste on earthly distractions and useless baggage that only serve to get in the way. These gospels teach us that the essence of discipleship is living the Word of Jesus that in time defines who we are as it becomes an integral part of our human behavior. The Word has become “flesh” in us.

In Luke's account of the "foolish farmer" we learn that for all his self-directed future plans for additional wealth and surplus, he would not have time to “eat, drink and be merry.” Little did he know that this was to be his last day on earth. This week’s reading is more assuring as Jesus tells us:

“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom…
Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven
that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.”

In these readings we are assured that there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s unconditional love; it’s God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom for no other reason than it simply pleases Him. It’s not because of what we’ve done or really, who we are but simply because it pleases God to do so. One of the messages here is to trust in God’s love and we will be free of all anxiety, guilt and unworthiness.

It is beautiful to be loved for ourselves isn’t it? However, Jesus’ message as Luke continues to narrate Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, is not to start living recklessly but to be prepared…the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

So, we are asked to travel light; to free ourselves of those things that get in the way of our being God centered and not us-centered. Living fully human does not mean living unto ourselves as did the rich farmer who had to have more of those things that were as finite as his fragile life.

Suppose we ask, what if we too started giving things away just for the pleasure of it as God does for us?

Lord Teach Us How to Pray

   

As with most new fathers to be I had no idea what to expect as to my feelings toward the new baby. Naturally, all the attention was understandably focused on the new mother to be. No one had any words of wisdom for me or shared insight as to what I would likely experience. I like most “fathers-in-waiting” just sat on the sidelines and silently wondered what it would be like. So, when my son was born, I was overwhelmed by new feelings and sensations and the strength of my love for this stranger, almost from the very beginning of his life.

Not too long after the birth of my second child approached. I was uneasy about my feelings and filled with false guilt as I secretly wondered how I could possibly love her (it was to be a girl), as much as I loved my son. There’s no way, I thought, I could duplicate those “feelings?” However, after my daughter was born, I realized that my love for her was just as great…I learned that I did not have to divide my love in order to share it, or consciously love one more or less than the other. It was already there, “pre-packaged” for me in both of my children. Today, I reflect on those years of parenting, and marvel at how much greater is the love of God for each one of us.

In our Gospel (Luke11:1-13), Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. Over the years I’m sure his lesson created considerable controversy and raised much doubt about all prayers being answered: So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is this really true?

Our children provide a unique model as we try to comprehend how much God loves us. Over the years, my children would ask for many things. All requests were heard and I know all their requests were answered, if not always to their satisfaction. In some cases they received what they asked for; in many they did not. Often, however, my alternate suggestion, which they may have resisted at first, turned out to be an even better “gift” than what they had originally requested. I don’t remember ever not listening to their requests, despite how outlandish some may have been or I thought they were. I don’t remember not answering them one way or another. Even when they were denied for whatever reason, I listened, and our mutual love for each other never suffered albeit with some difficult encounters.

Luke’s Gospel us that this is the way it is with God: If you then...know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

Who is My Neighbor

The Parable of The Good Samaritan is one of the most well known gospel stories in the Bible. The story (Luke 10:25-37) tells of a man who is savagely beaten and robbed while going from Jerusalem to Jericho and given up for dead in a ditch. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping him. But a Samaritan stops and cares for him, taking him to an inn where the Samaritan pays for his care and then some. The parable's overarching theme teaches that enemies can have compassion for enemies; compassion has no boundaries, and that judging people on the basis of our perception of differences is contrary to the Jesus' message.

So who were the Samaritans? We are told that while they were Israelites and descendants of Abraham they broke with traditional "tribal" lineage and were considered outcasts and enemies of the Judeans. In addition, they chose to worship at a central temple on Mt. Gerizim, rejecting the temple in Jerusalem as the cornerstone of the faith. So, in this parable in which Jesus' audience would have expected a Jew to be the hero of the story, they were likely shocked to hear that it was the Samaritan instead. Only by understanding this pivotal paradox does the powerful message of this parable serve as a lesson for the audience then and for us today. 

Scripture scholar James Martin defines a parable as a “metaphor or a simile drawn from nature or common life arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application in order to tease it into active thought.” He goes on to say that “parables are poetic explanations of spiritual concepts impossible to fully comprehend literally. For example the reign of God is far too rich to be encompassed by any one definition, no matter how theologically accurate. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a man from a hated ethnic group was ultimately revealed to Jewish listeners as the good guy who cares for the stranger. As with this parable, many run counter to the expectations of the audience and therefore are subversive to conventional wisdom.” (Martin, p200).

The lesson in this parable emanates from an answer the lawyer's question posed to Jesus: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  By referring to the Law, Jesus refers the man to an authority they both would accept as truth, the Old Testament. In essence, He is asking the lawyer, what does Scripture say about this and how does he interpret it? 

The lawyer answers correctly, "...love thy neighbor as thyself," and Jesus acknowledges that he has given an orthodox answer but he doesn’t stop there. As an educated man the lawyer realized that he could not possibly keep this law, nor would he have necessarily wanted to. There would always be people in his life that he could not love. Thus, in an effort to limit the law’s parameters, he asks the question “who is my neighbor?” The word “neighbor” in the Greek means “someone who is near,” and in the Hebrew it means “someone that you have an association with.” This allows for a limited interpretation of neighbor as fellow Jew and would have excluded Samaritans, Romans, and other foreigners. Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to correct the lawyer’s limited definition of “neighbor” and corresponding duty to his neighbor. (Martin p200)

This Gospel reminds us that we are to set aside our prejudice and show love and compassion for our “neighbor.” And our neighbor is anyone we encounter as we are all creatures of the Creator and we are to love all of mankind as Jesus taught.

Whoever Listens to You, Listens to Me

 

From an historical perspective (Luke10:1-12,17-20 “commissioning” the 70 in groups of two’s and three’s was a brilliant organizational strategy. We know all too well that John the Baptists’ movement was halted and his followers dispersed abruptly after he was executed by Herod. According to New Testament scholar, John Dominic Crossan, Jesus’ disciples were “decentralized” and were virtually unstoppable. They scattered to hundreds of places too remote for Jesus to visit during his ministry, especially now… as his face was set on Jerusalem.  Crossan estimates that there were hundreds of commissioned ministers already in place by the time Jesus was crucified and unlikely to learn of his death for weeks and months. (The Historical Jesus) 

The seventy overjoyed with the thrill of their first encounters were reluctant to hear or heed Jesus’ warnings, and were eager to share their joy. Jesus knew that they would be going as lambs in the midst of wolves as he too experienced rejection and death threats during his ministry, and most notably in his own home town. He knew all too well that rejection was the least of what they were going to encounter. 

Yet, can’t we relate to the elation that the first wave of disciples felt as they shared their experiences with one another when they returned home? Can’t we relate to the how good they felt after healing and ministering to their communities as Jesus taught. Like most of us they would be filled with hope that it all may be joyful and “fulfilling.” Yet Jesus tells us not to rejoice in citing what we’ve done but quietly rejoice because we are living the Word to glorify God. To restate Jesus admonition:  “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever accepts you accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."