Today read carefully and listen with a heart and mind open to the depicted social scene in St. Luke's gospel selection. There you will see "them" all gathered together. "They" always seem to have the ability to gather in numbers, don't they? Is it really surprising? Very few "others" would want their company.
On this occasion there is what we would call a social faux-pas, a social scandal. The young preacher man was there with "them." Didn't Jesus recognize them? These were the sinners, the misfits in the religiously oriented society. Didn't he question in his heart whether he could afford being seen in their presence. What were the "proper" people going to think and say (gossip!!) about him with such a detested lot of humanity? Why would he risk his "reputation" in the community?
Jesus, they failed to understand, sought one goal: to bring every sinner to reconciliation with his Father. And that would mean me. How about you? The Pharisees did not "get it." The love and forgiveness of the Father was not and is not exclusive to certain people or groups of individuals.
Today we might ask ourselves a question that requires honesty for the answer God is seeking. How do I feel when challenged by Jesus' calling to reach out to sinners and tho those whoa re marginalized by and in our society?
God did not create a world where sinfulness would block the sun from shining on a sinner. The rains fall on the poor as well as the wealthy. God's mercy and love were and continue to be available to every human being. Easy to read that is but do I truly believe it?
The open arms of God reach out to everyone. Imagine the happiness there must be when a sinner does not allow his/her faults to build a wall that separates God's divine love from one's life. So, how do you think of or reach out to those who are often painted as "those people" in our society and even in our Church? Here honesty is not easy!
The picture? Surely not in Potomac or Chevy Chase, Maryland. Some might immediately think of it as a street in poor section of a city. What some would call a place where "they" live? Tomorrow the answer to the question.
