Indignant

Mark 10:13-16

          I don't think the word indignant was even a word in Jesus' time but I am sure it makes a good attempt to be as close as possible to whatever word was used. If anything, I think the intensity of Jesus' reaction has been muted by this translation. Often words of this nature, words that express guttural, emotional reactions, all by themselves elicit deep emotional heartfelt meanings.  It's usually a word we can only approximate in Greek, Latin or English.

          I always like it when Jesus is shown to have a strong emotional reaction. First, it shows just how human he was and just how human we are. I've heard the reactions we have are not what's bad, it's what we do with those reactions.

           This is a real teachable moment for Jesus. What is he telling the disciples and by extension, us? We can be so cocksure that we know so many different things. I would mention the arrogance of the Westboro Baptist Church and what they feel they know about homosexuality, about 'their' translation of the Bible. I can also easily imagine Jesus' indignance at them. Part of the interesting part of this passage is that Jesus turns things upside down, he alters the prevailing wisdom and the status quo. Children would have no place in an adult world or in an adult situation. Certainly Jesus would not preach to children and yet Jesus welcomes the children. Jesus uses them as an example of God's kingdom, God's love and God's embrace.

          How sure are we about who will be embraced and who will not? It is my fervent desire that we all know, gays especially, just how loved and welcome we are by God. That may be contrary to the prevailing opinion but it is true. We are loved, accepted and welcomed by God. Not as celibates that abhor our own sexual nature but as sexual beings alive and loving in all our human capacity.

          Having said that, are we as the gay community ready to accept that the religious zealots who would hate us, are equally loved by God even if God weeps for the damage and hate they spew?

          When we are indignant or have a strong emotional reaction, it would be interesting to see what it is we are reacting to. I confess it might be that I am looking in a mirror. It also might be that it insults my sense of decency and demeans our very good and Godly nature. If so, what will I do about it? What will you do about? Is a teachable moment for us? Is it an opportunity for personal conversion of heart, even if it is our own?

        

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.