Penetrating Even Between Soul and Spirit
The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. Hebrews 4:12-13
While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Mark 2:15-16
Piety
Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone?
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.
I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.
I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.
Study
If the Pharisees were around today, I doubt that they would be singing social commentary songs in San Quentin or Folsom Prison.
Instead, I think the modern-day incarnation of the Pharisees would be “talking heads” on television news programs. Yesterday, their thoughts were “naked and exposed” as they look on with skepticism while Jesus cured the paralytic man. Today, they gossip about Jesus in the house of Levi, the tax collector.
Most people would give due deference to the learned positions attained by the scribes and Pharisees. Not Jesus. Most people would not upset the status quo by cavorting with lepers, prostitutes, Roman centurions, and tax collectors (the worst traitors of all). Not Jesus.
The inevitable conflicts that we see emerging today will build up during the weeks of Ordinary Time adding tension until it explodes in the Passion.
Christ’s word is living and effective in calling sinners like the hated tax collector who is willing to change and get on the path to follow Jesus. Levi cuts his ties to his recent past evil practices. However, no creature’s duplicity is able to hide from the perceptive eye of the Lord. Not even nor especially that of the Pharisees and their dangling tassels that hassle the people.
Action
When have you done the unexpected like protesting in front of the White House, Pentagon, Congress or the Supreme Court? Catholics are supposed to be seen in their pews. Yet, what we pray in private has to go from the sanctuary to the streets.
If we are to make the Word of God into the works of humanity, we must render an account of how we put the word into action and Bring it to Life.
If you are not (quite) ready to pick up a sign in public “with-ness” of our faith, then just wear some black in the spirit of the blind, the lame, the imprisoned and the less fortunate. Why you'd think He's talking straight to you and me and not those Pharisees?!
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