The most scandalous gesture<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
The most provocative and scandalous gesture of Jesus was undoubtedly his characteristic acceptance, with special warmth, of sinners, men and women.\u00a0 They were cast out by religious leaders and branded by society \u00a0because they live on the fringes of the Law.\u00a0 His habit of eating with them cordially was what was most irritating.<\/b><\/p>\n
Ordinarily, we forget that Jesus created quite a stir in the society of his time.<\/b>\u00a0 Sinners do not run away from him.\u00a0 On the contrary, they feel attracted by his personality and his message.\u00a0 Luke tells us that \u201ctax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus.\u201d\u00a0 It appears they find in him an acceptance and understanding they find nowhere else.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the sectors of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law<\/b>, men with the most prestige in regard to religion and morality, only know how to criticize, scandalized, the behavior of Jesus:\u00a0 \u201cThis man welcomes sinners and eats with them.\u201d \u00a0How can a man of God eat at the same table with those sinful and undesirable people?<\/p>\n
Jesus never paid attention to his critics.\u00a0 He knew God is not the harsh and stern Judge that those teachers who occupied the seats of honor in synagogues<\/b> kept speaking about with such certainty.\u00a0 He knows well the Father\u2019s heart.\u00a0 God understands sinners; he offers forgiveness to all; he excludes no one; he forgives everything.\u00a0 No one should obscure and disfigure his unfathomable and gratuitous forgiveness.<\/p>\n
That is why Jesus offers them his understanding and friendship.\u00a0 Those prostitutes and tax collectors have to feel\u00a0 God welcomes them.\u00a0 This is the first.\u00a0 They have nothing to fear.\u00a0 They can seat at his table, they can drink wine and sing hymns next to Jesus.\u00a0 His acceptance is bringing them inner healing.<\/b>\u00a0 He frees them from shame and humiliation.\u00a0 He gives back to them the joy of living.<\/p>\n
Jesus accepts them as they are, without demanding anything from them beforehand.\u00a0 He keeps infecting them with his peace<\/b> and his trust in God, without being certain that they will respond by changing their behavior.\u00a0 He does so completely trusting in the mercy of God who is already waiting with open arms, like a good father who runs to meet his lost son.<\/p>\n
The first duty of a Church faithful to Jesus is not to condemn sinners but to understand them and to give them a friendly welcome.\u00a0 I was able to see it for myself in Rome several months ago that every time Pope Francis insisted that God always forgives, forgives everything, forgives everybody \u2026, people applauded enthusiastically. \u00a0Surely, this is what many people of little and\u00a0hesitant faith need to hear clearly today from the Church.<\/b><\/p>\n
Jos\u00e9 Antonio Pagola<\/b><\/p>\n
September 15, 2013
\n24 Ordinary Time (C)
\nLuke 15, 1-32<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"