Education in Faith
In this short, sharp gospel Jesus reminds us that if we take on his message of compassion, hospitality and table fellowship then it can set us apart from those who have not accepted the message – even family members. It’s a challenging message that even love and loyalty within a family can be disrupted by seeking to authentically live the model of Jesus. If we authentically place the needs of the lowly and the outcast ahead of our own and ahead of our family, then this can be very confronting and very disrupting. What are the consequences for family gatherings? What might the gathering at Christmas dinner look like if we take this message seriously? Jesus says that the normal obligations to family have to take second place to acting on his message and bringing about the kingdom of God.
Today’s gospel reminds us that the message of Christianity is not always a popular one. Sometimes we are called upon to speak a hard message; a challenging message; a confronting message. The message of the gospel frequently confronts our popular culture and accepted social practice. It often contradicts the expedient decisions of our political leaders. There is a responsibility on us to speak the hard message of the gospel even at the risk of unpopularity and even in the face of threat. The Christian heroes of our time are those who call leaders to measure up to the demands of the gospel.