My friend Nick Kim made this observation that I think is a helpful to think about how this reading might align elsewhere.
Nick wrote: “This piece reminds me of, and, I believe, connects with the passage in Matthew 25 about the sheep and the goats:
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." (Matt. 25:37-40)”
I like this. Before reading it—the moment I read your reply to my comment on “Lambs Not Consumers” with your wondering about reading this parable through a hospitality lens—I thought of Capon and his reading with Jesus as the victim, and His call to the disciples and to us, toward the same. And what a hard and cruciformed call that is. Amen. This is good stuff Brosef!
This has been a really helpful perspective! I'm a pastor in San Antonio - about an hour away from the site of really devastating flooding. I've had conversations with several people who, out of the good intention of wanting to help, have let their savior complexes to go into overdrive! With the overwhelming amount of response to this disaster in our region, I've been thinking a lot of Rev. Dr. Sam Wells's styles of engagement, particularly how he differentiates between a transactional "doing for" others model versus the incarnational "being with" others model. Being with those who are suffering demands more from us and equalizes the relationship between helpers and recipients of help. Your interpretation of the Good Samaritan parable and connecting to Jesus sending out the disciples has only made me more convinced that the Church is called to the harder, slower work of being with those who are suffering.
This is so good and so helpful as we think about these grease covered stories that evade our grasp! Will re-read for more sermon prep this week! I’ve begin to see the theme of rejection in the previous readings. Rejection is one of our very deepest fears. Can we take it? What is the point Jesus is teaching about rejection? We will be rejected. Man, love this commentary so much! Thanks!!
Thank you so much Pastor Sierra. Like you I do love it when the readings lead us to something. But I love that question “can we take it?” Blessings on your preaching.
My friend Nick Kim made this observation that I think is a helpful to think about how this reading might align elsewhere.
Nick wrote: “This piece reminds me of, and, I believe, connects with the passage in Matthew 25 about the sheep and the goats:
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." (Matt. 25:37-40)”
I like this. Before reading it—the moment I read your reply to my comment on “Lambs Not Consumers” with your wondering about reading this parable through a hospitality lens—I thought of Capon and his reading with Jesus as the victim, and His call to the disciples and to us, toward the same. And what a hard and cruciformed call that is. Amen. This is good stuff Brosef!
Thanks Brother
This has been a really helpful perspective! I'm a pastor in San Antonio - about an hour away from the site of really devastating flooding. I've had conversations with several people who, out of the good intention of wanting to help, have let their savior complexes to go into overdrive! With the overwhelming amount of response to this disaster in our region, I've been thinking a lot of Rev. Dr. Sam Wells's styles of engagement, particularly how he differentiates between a transactional "doing for" others model versus the incarnational "being with" others model. Being with those who are suffering demands more from us and equalizes the relationship between helpers and recipients of help. Your interpretation of the Good Samaritan parable and connecting to Jesus sending out the disciples has only made me more convinced that the Church is called to the harder, slower work of being with those who are suffering.
Wow, this is very humbling to hear Reed. Thank you for sharing. I’ll be praying for you too.
This is so good and so helpful as we think about these grease covered stories that evade our grasp! Will re-read for more sermon prep this week! I’ve begin to see the theme of rejection in the previous readings. Rejection is one of our very deepest fears. Can we take it? What is the point Jesus is teaching about rejection? We will be rejected. Man, love this commentary so much! Thanks!!
Thank you so much Pastor Sierra. Like you I do love it when the readings lead us to something. But I love that question “can we take it?” Blessings on your preaching.