If the people follow the commandments of God, they will be giving up a lot. They will give up doing things that seem normal to others.
Jesus ate with sinners. He spoke with women, even women who weren’t Jewish, even women who had bad reputations. Jesus may be anti-status; but he is aware of status, of rank. In fact, in today’s gospel, there seems to be a lot of awareness of rank.
We are called today to align ourselves with God’s values. To straighten up and be the people of God’s covenant. We are called to be the people who make justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream.
He thought to himself, he questioned himself, he answered himself, and he spoke approvingly to his soul. Perhaps this example from the gospels was what Martin Luther had in mind when he described sin as being curved in on one’s self.
In our gospel a disciple dared to ask Jesus, “teach us to pray.” So Jesus did. Starting with calling God “Abba.” It astonished the disciples, that Jesus would use the word “Abba” to address God.
For God to be our guest, we must invite God. For Jesus to come and stay and speak, we must invite him.
Today’s gospel contains the two commandments that are key to eternal life. Plus the story of a Samaritan who is good. Oh, we need life. And we need goodness. Let us see where we will find them.
God made us with compassion. When we see someone endangering themselves, we want them to stop. Even though the danger is not to us, we feel an urgency on behalf of our neighbor.
The whole Bible, but especially the New Testament, and particularly our readings for today, emphasize the freedom that comes through relationship with Jesus Christ. Freedom to experience the love and grace of God. Even when we are possessed by demons, or live in the wrong place, or do the wrong things.
Great sins. Great repentance. Great forgiveness.