Friday, March 10, 2006
From AscensionNYC
Friday in the First Week of Lent
Psalm 40
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Mark 2:13-22
Today's gospel message reinforces the view that Jesus is ready to overturn the existing religious order. He is seen eating and socializing with the moral and social outcasts of his day. Certainly that is not something an outwardly religious first century Jew would be seen doing. Why? Because they couldn't possibly imagine that God would condone such behavior.
When confronted with his unsettling and obviously outrageous behavior, what is Jesus' response? He says he is not called to save the righteous, but rather sinners. On the surface, that would seem to indicate that God is only interested in helping society's obvious outcasts. If taken out of context, one might easily conclude that. However, in other sections of the New Testament, Jesus clearly indicates that everyone is a "sinner." "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." In other words, Jesus is interested in saving all of us. No matter what we have done, no matter what others might think, Jesus will be there.
The second part of this gospel reading challenges another societal view about how religious people should conduct themselves. Doesn't God require asceticism and on-going sacrifice as proof of righteousness, as evidenced by fasting? Jesus is clear. Yes, there is a time and place for such practices, but there is also a time to celebrate, to enjoy life. What a perfect thought for Lent. Yes, there is a time and place for fasting, but we should never lose sight of the goal, enjoying the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Mark 2:13-22
Today's gospel message reinforces the view that Jesus is ready to overturn the existing religious order. He is seen eating and socializing with the moral and social outcasts of his day. Certainly that is not something an outwardly religious first century Jew would be seen doing. Why? Because they couldn't possibly imagine that God would condone such behavior.
When confronted with his unsettling and obviously outrageous behavior, what is Jesus' response? He says he is not called to save the righteous, but rather sinners. On the surface, that would seem to indicate that God is only interested in helping society's obvious outcasts. If taken out of context, one might easily conclude that. However, in other sections of the New Testament, Jesus clearly indicates that everyone is a "sinner." "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." In other words, Jesus is interested in saving all of us. No matter what we have done, no matter what others might think, Jesus will be there.
The second part of this gospel reading challenges another societal view about how religious people should conduct themselves. Doesn't God require asceticism and on-going sacrifice as proof of righteousness, as evidenced by fasting? Jesus is clear. Yes, there is a time and place for such practices, but there is also a time to celebrate, to enjoy life. What a perfect thought for Lent. Yes, there is a time and place for fasting, but we should never lose sight of the goal, enjoying the presence of God.
Vincent Truglia
