Jesus makes use of distinctions in some of his parables. He makes a distinction between sheep and goats in the parable he tells this Sunday. The distinction highlights the difference between humble loving actions that need to be practiced and proud harmful ones that require conversion. This distinction and others are so obvious they confirm the age old assessment that the Gospel is capable of being understood by a child. So it is that a child knows the truth Jesus speaks in his parable about sheep and goats; it is better to feed people than let them go hungry, give them drink than let them thirst, care for them than let them be harmed, and visit them when imprisoned than let them be isolated. What then is to be made of self titled Christians who make public policy decisions that render people hungry, thirsty, harmed, and imprisoned?
It seems necessary to make a distinction between people who call themselves Christian and those who actually learn from Jesus and follow his Way. Those who learn from Jesus and follow his Way do so independent of a title. Early on, others may have called the followers Christian, meaning, Christ-like when they witnessed Christ; when the follower related in communion, were loving, or acted as a creative healing power. Christian was never a title a person proudly put on themselves. Therefore, though self-titled Christian congressmen Kevin Cramer (R-ND, Evangelical Christian) and Doug LaMalfa (R–CA, Evangelical Christian) are cutting food stamps – people belonging to the Atheist Coalition are feeding the hungry. Though self-titled Christians such as Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley (R’s–MI, Presbyterian and Baptist) are denying water to residents in Pontiac, Warren, Romulus, and Detroit – Maude Barlow (Chair of the Council of Canadians) and Meera Karunananthan (Blue Planet) are quenching their thirst. Though self-titled Christians Sam Brownback (R–KS, Catholic) and Paul Ryan (R–WI, Catholic) are harming people through social service cuts – people belonging to Occupy’s United Front Against Austerity are providing them care. Though self-titled Christians Lamar Alexander (R–TN, Presbyterian) and Hal Rogers (R–KY, Southern Baptist) who oppose immigrant amnesty and chair House Committees on Appropriations are both benefiting from lucrative government contracts to private prison corporations that are imprisoning people at alarming rates, immigrants especially – people belonging to Restorative Justice are keeping people connected to their communities.
Soren Kierkegaard wrote about distinctions: “Christ never asked for admirers, worshipers, or adherents. He consistently spoke of ‘followers’ and ‘disciples.’”
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we commit ourselves to caring for our brothers and sisters.
Question: In what way am I a self-titled Christian who needs to convert to the Way of Christ Jesus?
November 23, 2014 Gospel Matthew 25:31-46 Feast of Christ the King