Welcoming the Outcast

As seems to be the norm in the gospels, Jesus was receiving criticism from the religious of the day. The complaints which heralded this week’s lectionary passage were used to introduce

a series of parables (Luke 15: 1-3, 11 to end). 

 

The complaint was simply, that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them” (2). When I started to write I had intended considering the first three parables in the series, the third of which is main part of the text for today. I had even started to type a paragraph or two, but I kept returning to the first couple of verses and so decided to remain with them. I’m sure I will continue to ponder these verses throughout the week.

 

So, I paused and thought about that phrase — “welcomes sinners and eats with them”. I find it very powerful. Immediately, it gave rise to a couple of thoughts to muse over this week:

 

Who would be considered today’s tax collectors (1) and sinners? 

How would I welcome tax collectors and sinners?

 

Yet, I found these questions quite hard to pose even hypothetically. As I considered how to phrase the questions it was difficult not to resort to “them and us” language which I dislike  Even worse to “them and us” thinking which I hate even more. 

 

All around I see far too much division into “them and us”. This thinking is present in all spheres of contemporary life, rampant in our society from political life, to career status, to psychological testing, to everyday conversations. It exposes the roots of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. The tendency for division and separation is rife. 

 

Clearly, in the text when the Pharisees and scribes were complaining about tax collectors and sinners the implication is that they are not “us”. They are different from “us”.  Jesus shouldn’t want to be associated with “them”. There needs to be a distance and a distinction between “us” and “them”.

 

So, three further hypothetical questions for me to ponder over the coming week are;

How can such thinking be prevented? 

Even, is it possible to prevent such thinking be stopped? 

Or, is it too deeply ingrained and encultured into our lives and thought patterns to be vanquished?

 

It is really hard to change something so deeply embedded in culture. I only have to read a newspaper or listen to a news programme or even glance through some newsfeeds on social media to see that “us and them” language permeates society. 

 

And the final question which I’ll be musing on this week is, how do I welcome and eat with those on the margins, today’s “sinners and tax collector”?  Welcoming all as “us” without even the smallest inkling of anyone being “them”. Quite a task but I think one worth pursuing.

 

 

 

 

 

In the liturgical calendar the season has changed, Lent is now being celebrated. Lent began on Wednesday, 2 March and will last until Thursday 14 April. — a long season of 40 days. Lent is a solemn time of remembering all the circumstances leading up to the Easter event and all the wonder that encompasses.

 

The text for today (Luke 4:1-13), records the story of how, after baptism, Jesus goes into the wilderness. It is a time of preparation before fulfilling the special ministry Jesus was called to. 

 

I just want to comment on the wilderness.  I know I am repeating myself so apologies to those who have heard me say this before. I don’t think when Jesus went into the wilderness it was just to find a patch of wild and rough country and abide there. I think it was a much more purposeful time of preparation than that. I think Jesus probably went to the Essene community in the wilderness possibly where John may have been educated. A place where undisturbed time could be spent in prayer and fasting. The same flavour that is expressed in the meditation in the Way of Living, “In Scetis, a brother went to Abba Moses and begged him for a word. And the old man said: Go and sit in your cell and your cell will teach you everything.” (p. 390)

 

As another aside, before I get to the text, I also want to make a comment about fasting. This is an ancient practice observed during Lent formalized after the first council of Nicea (325CE) although clearly far older than that — amongst others Moses fasted for 40 days (Exodus 34:28). Fasting is a spiritual practice. I also think it is a choice for each person, how or if they observe this practice. I have been mildly disturbed by some things I have read almost in the vein of who can fast the most or who can re-interpret the word to not mean giving up food. Happily, I have not seen such comments from anyone in Lindisfarne but I still wanted to say that fasting is not a great big competition. It is not about who can be the best faster! it is a personal choice between each individual and the God they serve. It is a private spiritual practice — no one needs to share how they are fasting or if they are fasting. I love the words of Jesus on the sermon on the mount, “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting . . . But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Mother-Father who is in secret” (Matt. 6:16-18)

 

But back to the text, when Jesus was at the end of the allotted fasting time Jesus was tempted. I thought a lot about the three areas of temptation that Jesus was challenged with and overcame. I found it interesting that these three areas could be seen as those that are common to many. Actually, I wonder if these three areas are constantly being dangled as temptation before each person.

 

In the first vision Jesus was tempted over material needs — Jesus was hungry and was tempted over food. In my musings, I widened it to more than simple bread. Yesterday, Andy and I visited a supermarket to buy food and as we entered the store we were immediately assaulted by displays of Easter candy — chocolate, chocolate everywhere! It all looked very mouthwatering and tempting.  And, of course, the temptation for material things is much more than chocolate but still it is everywhere. Through my email and on social media I constantly get unsolicited posts about things I may want to possess. It feels like,  if I let it, it could be a never-ending source of temptation. A few years ago we had a teenager in our home who stole from us (it has happened a lot over the years!). This particular teen took our goods and cashed them in at a store that bought them. Of course, we are not naive about such things and quickly discovered what was happening. When asked why, the teen responded that he didn’t think it was fair that some kids at school had a better phone than he did! It was an ill thought out plan but nevertheless illustrates the temptation that material goods can offer.

 

In the second vision Jesus was tempted by power and authority. It is another area that continually seems to be a source of temptation. People wanting to rule over other people. People wanting to be better than others. This can happen on a world scale (look no further than current headlines) but also on a smaller, more personal level at home, school or work.

 

In the third vision the temptation was safety and protection. Another big one as anxiety seems to beset this current generation. I have told before the story of an acquaintance, an older woman, who believed that if she had enough faith she would never die. It was ridiculous, but also utterly sad. She felt that her faith would protect her so she could do anything. I can see how that thinking about protection from death was a big temptation for her.

 

So, having said all that, I want to bring balance which I think is much needed when there is any talk about temptation. It is worth noting that each of these three areas can be good, normal parts of living. 

 

Of course, I can enjoy a chocolate bar. I can buy things needed for personal use and for the household. I can pray for those who are hungry, I can support organisations that feed and clothe those in need. 

 

Of course, it is okay to want to advance in careers and to take on more responsibilities — that was discussed last weekend as our retreat focused on study.

 

And, of course, everyone wants to protect and offer safety to those who need such things. Our hearts are all breaking as we have seen the images from the Ukraine — families without safety and protection.

 

So, this week as I take the first steps into my Lenten journey I will continue to ponder this story. Lent is a time to search my heart  and to think about the balance in my own life. It is also a time of anticipation as I journey towards Easter.

(Photo: Panola Mountain State Park, Georgia —August 2021)