Pharisees and Sadducees surround Jesus to hear him preach. What does Jesus present to them? The allegory of the vineyard master to sends his servants and then his son to collect the rent from the wicked tenants. Jesus' message is clear in Matthew: The Pharisees and the Sadducees are those tenants. In reality the talk about having Jesus executed has already begun.
Wait, what did Jesus say? Those wicked tenants would be killed and the land rented to others? Isn't God kind and loving? Did Jesus really say that? We could imagine the evangelist writing it down or others invented the story or embellished it to make it more dramatic. Some people tend to do that to make themselves feel safe with the idea that God wouldn't do that, that he truly loves everyone.
However, maybe it serves as a big red WARNING sign that hey, you should feel uncomfortable. Be awake and aware of what you are doing. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is fear of the Lord (Timor Dei) and this is what Jesus is invoking in us. Be on guard, think. Act righteously. How can Jesus' words help shake us up and help us get back on track?
Showing posts with label think. Show all posts
Showing posts with label think. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Luke 5: 27-32 Calling of Levi
for today's reading: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021316.cfm
In today's reading Jesus calls Levi and the other tax collectors to follow him. Jesus is showing us that we can be called, every one of us, to follow him. It doesn't matter if we are sinners or saints, the door to the Father's banquet is open to each of us. It is the Father's love that calls us.
The scribes and Pharisees are adherents to the law, but the laws have become and end to themselves. Jesus is here to offer us a new covenant made the Father's love and through the Holy Spirit. Are we ready to accept the Lord's invitation to follow him no matter what others may say or think about us? Are we ready to have our eyes focused solely on him? Are we ready to embrace the call to be saints who wear jeans, chew bubble gum, and drink soda and eat fries? Everyone is called.
In today's reading Jesus calls Levi and the other tax collectors to follow him. Jesus is showing us that we can be called, every one of us, to follow him. It doesn't matter if we are sinners or saints, the door to the Father's banquet is open to each of us. It is the Father's love that calls us.
The scribes and Pharisees are adherents to the law, but the laws have become and end to themselves. Jesus is here to offer us a new covenant made the Father's love and through the Holy Spirit. Are we ready to accept the Lord's invitation to follow him no matter what others may say or think about us? Are we ready to have our eyes focused solely on him? Are we ready to embrace the call to be saints who wear jeans, chew bubble gum, and drink soda and eat fries? Everyone is called.
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