Much Given, Much Required
Jesus challenges us with the reading for Monday. We are to be alert and ready at all times! ‘Dressed for action’ is a phrase hat jumps out to me, in particular, this season. Are we prepared when Christ finds us? Or do we rather have a list of excuses as to why we can’t follow or serve? Surely someone else is better equipped? less busy? richer? smarter? whatever the case may be, we often list reasons as to why it’s reasonable that we’re not ready to serve . . . however, this text challenges that directly. We have been given much, and as Christ says in this text, much is required. Be ready!
Who?
Both stories for Wednesday’s reading deal with people not understanding who Jesus is. John’s disciples don’t and the Pharisees and others do not. Curiously it us the most broken and hurting among us who recognize Jesus. How do we embrace Christ as the one who save us in spite of our brokeness?
Rebel
Jesus moves into a different phase in today’s readings. He confronts. He does this in an aggressive fashion. He heals on the sabbath, people who were ill the day before, or would be still the next day, but he heals in the plain sight of everyone on the sabbath . . . . when you’re not supposed to work . . . . He proclaims himself the lord of the sabbath and goes on to bless the poor, hungry, weeping and the outcasts . . . while warning those who are thought well of in the community. What is Jesus saying to us? What cherished aspects of our faith or piety is Christ pushing aside? What in us is Christ blessing? What in us is Christ challenging?