For those in Jesus’ audience this message is a warning that they should set aside hubris and reconsider their self-appointed places at the table. But to the crippled man, the lame, the blind, and the poor this message is an invitation to a seat of honour. Sadly though, too often those who need to hear the first message do not have ears for it, and those who need to hear the second message often excuse themselves from the table because of the contempt they endure from those already seated.

It’s saddening how many loud Christian voices use their influence to peddle fear and bigotry through biblical sounding arguments. Today, just as it was in the first century, it remains commonplace for the pious police to pick on people that they perceive are easy targets. Picking on women continues to be popular, so does picking on immigrants and the poor. Sexual and gender minorities, people of different faiths, and brave prophetic voices from within are also frequently singled out. Rather than adding to the burdens of the oppressed, I pray that when our Lord returns, he finds us hard at work setting people free. May we be allies to the powerless, a voice for the exploited, and advocates of the poor.

Too often the church and groups of believers seem to live in fear. Fear of immigrants, or the queer community, fear of their freedoms being curtailed, fear of oppression, fear of women in leadership, fear of ecumenical partnership, of other religions or relativism.

Honestly, the church has far too often been a loud voice of fear in the community instead of lending their voice to those who are oppressed.

Followers of Jesus should be equally grieved by the deaths of Israelis and Palestinians. And, despite what some sensationalist Christian commentators say, being appalled by the internationally sponsored mistreatment of Palestinians doesn’t make someone an antisemite or a supporter of heinous acts committed by terrorists. As Christians we should be promoting Jesus’ way of non-violence and peace, even if it looks like foolishness to the world.

Father, hallowed be your name, make your name holyand remember your promises to restore your reputation. Gather us as your people, make us clean, give us new hearts of flesh not stone, put your Spirit in us, empower us to follow your decrees, restore your kingdom and make it like the garden of Eden.

Right now, today, we are so grateful for your provision. Please meet all our needs and help us to trust you, not looking toanyone else to fulfill us. Please forgive us for our sins and help us to become more like you instead of being deceived by the false promises of the world. Help us to leave behind the bitterness, resentment, and vengeance in our hearts, help us to forgive.

And please prepare us to overcome temptation, give us time to grow so that we may be victorious when we face challenges.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

The place that Mary found was more important than any worry, frustration, or cultural obligation. The place Mary found in the midst of all the work, all the mess, and all the expectation, was sacred. And it wasn’t just Mary; it was Jesus also. He wanted her to be there.

And I want to be there too but there is just so much noise and hurry and worry. The deadlines, the mortgage, the kids, the mess, the driving around, the shopping and cooking and cleaning. Over and over. Of course, I’m fretting and fussing about every damn thing. There are so many damn things going on!

Before we get to the question of, “Who is my neighbour?” it is worth considering a modern retelling of this story. In our context it is hard to appreciate the disdain that the Jewish people felt towards the Samaritan people. Perhaps imagine this scene taking place in modern day Israel, with a devout Hasidic Jew questioning a rabbi, and in response the rabbi tells a story of a Jewish Priest and a Christian Zionist who cross the street to walk past a destitute man, whilst a Palestinian homosexual stops and offers kindness.

Jesus isn’t complicit with boundaries defined by race, religion, borders, politics, culture, wealth, gender, or status. He sends out his messengers into Samaria to prepare the way because the people of Samaria are made in the image of God just as truly as the people in Judea. Just as today the people in Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran are made in the image of God as surely as those in Israel, America, or Australia.

The reformers and radical reformers challenged the status quo, not with something new, but instead with something old! They fulfilled the prophetic tradition by pointing back to the testimony of Jesus in their time.

Whilst a political party may have unity of ideology, and even churches can have a shared creed, the kingdom of God calls us to share in a oneness that is displayed not by a doctrinal statement but rather by our love for one another.