CONTROVERSY ALERT! Hidden in plain sight is something that your Sunday school teacher might not want you to find. We hear of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, being twelve thousand of each of Israel’s twelve tribes. But there is more. There is also the great multitude “which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues….” which indicate a whole lot more being saved.
Could it be that mercy is actually merciful? Does it mean that even I stand a chance?
Today’s readings deal with a basic fact: anyone who follows a spiritual path is subject to attack. It can be from without or from within. There are those on other paths who disagree with your path. There are those on your path who don’t think you are complying enough. Of course, there are also those of no path who resent your having any path! And then there are your own doubts. Paul describes preparing for this in terms of what might be his own experience serving his duty as a Roman conscript when he was younger.
The Gospel reading gives an example of how it works well, in the story of the nobleman whose son was healed.
Today we celebrate the feast of St Luke the Evangelist, who was rather unique. According to tradition he was a martyr, a Greek, a physician, and an apostle. And, according to the Epistle, he was one of the people St Paul could count on even when so many had left him.
Speaking of that, note the gospel, in which Jesus sends out 70 men in pairs to go to places where Jesus was going to go. He sent them out, letting them depend on their faith and the generosity of the people to whom they were to minister!
In the Epistle for today, Paul reminds his gentile followers of how different they are now compared to who they once were. This is a point often made to recent graduates of some courses of study, and it applies here as well.
I note, however, an appreciation shown for the realities of life and an appeal to common-sense moderation. “Be angry and sin not” shows that people are going to upset you. The difference is what you do as a result.
