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Tuesday 25th Week of Ordinary Time
St. Luke’s Institute
September 24, 2013
LOOKING W/ 2 LENSES +++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Another brief scene from Luke’s Gospel gives us
a glimpse into the constitution of new communities
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I invite you to employ a double lens of viewing
material
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One lens set on the life and ministry of Jesus
and a second lens several decades later as the young communities are
establishing themselves amid various circumstances
LENS OF JESUS’ DAY ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Luke describes the mother and brothers of Jesus
– we can say his blood kin – as approaching decisively with one point of view
or framing assumption
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Namely, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and
they wish to see you.”
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We then hear Jesus challenge them with another
perspective
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Namely, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word
of God and act on it.”
LENS OF SEVERAL
DECADES LATER ++++++++++++++++
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What’s clear from this lens IS that the old ties
of kinship are not enough – being mother or brother, insider with some
apparently obvious credential for access or status
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What’s clear from this lens is that the
criterion that matters and is available to any and all is the hearing and the
doing
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The biblical language for “hearing and doing” is “heeding”
– that is, hearing and doing the word of God
NO ONE EXCLUDED ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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This double-lens viewing has far-reaching
implications
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No one is excluded who approaches from the
hearing-and-doing-God’s-word portal or gateway
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And no one has special access because of blood
line, status, ordination, age, money, or intelligence
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It’s a level playing field and all are invited
to hear and to heed
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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The previous parables may suggest that some of
the kin have not been listening well
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