Lent
March 23, 2019
Scripture Reading: Luke 13:1-9
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ –Luke 13:1-5
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. –Matthew 5:43-45
Bad things do happen to good people. Some people we might consider bad seem to skate through life with few challenges. Jesus implies in both the above scriptures something to the effect that it does rain on the just and the unjust. What he also says is that loving God and loving all of God’s children better prepares us for those events in life that are so unbearable.
Our age of instant communications immediately makes us aware of tragedies around the world. This week we heard of the killings in Mosques in New Zealand and a devastating cyclone and flood in Mozambique killing over 242 people. I watched a farmer walk among the 700 bodies of drowned pigs from floods in the USA, his family’s livelihood destroyed in a manner of minutes. That was just one farm. There is no telling how the floods along the Mississippi river will impact our food supplies.
Of course, the response to salvage what can be saved, comfort those directly affected and rebuild are all our responsibilities. We are also called to do what we can to prevent these type events in the future. New Zealand has already strengthened their gun control laws. Stronger and more levies may be needed along the Mississippi and water sources in Mozambique. We must also face the realities of climate change and do all that is humanly possible to address it. These are examples of working together toward the Common Good. They are also examples of loving our neighbors and our enemies.
Prayer: Lord, awaken us to the needs of all and direct us toward ways to help, as we strive to follow your example of love while working for the Common Good. Amen.