Cosmopolitan attitude

John 12:20-26

          Sometimes you start to read something and it's a bit like listening, your brain starts to jump ahead and perhaps read or hear things that may not necessarily be there. Such is the case with this passage, I read 'Greeks' and my mind went to Acts of the Apostles. Your brain is soon challenged to realize we are in fact speaking of the time Jesus was alive.  I could not help but be drawn to the fact that this area of the world at that time must have been a kind of crossroads of the world.  It was not only a predominantly Jewish area but there were Romans of course and now we know Greeks as well.  It must have seemed very cosmopolitan for its time.

            Finding Greeks that might be open to the Good News of Jesus in such a cosmopolitan area is not surprising. It also comes as no shock to me that a Roman Centurion with a 'dear slave' (read: lover) would also be in this geographic area. ( it was considered normal for a Roman soldier to have such a companion ) Perhaps what is a bit more surprising is that said centurion sought out Jesus for help.  The charism and message of Jesus would soon seen (after his death) as a universal message and it is open to all without restriction or reservation.  This kind of liberal agenda, the radicalism that Jesus preached and lived, seems to me more common and accepted in more cosmopolitan areas.

            When a person realizes they are gay, wishes to come out and find acceptance and love, very often they come to the big cities, hot beds of homosexuality as it is you know. Other than cities, very often the love and acceptance is restricted to dark corners and behind locked doors.

          It is not surprising to me that the acceptance of diversity and the exchange of different ideas, philosophies and peoples occur in areas that are rich in varied philosophies and cultures.  Perhaps that also why there is often gay clusters in many colleges and universities where knowledge and experimentation is accepted as part of learning (about oneself and the world).  

           The message of Jesus' life was sufficiently radical for his time, even for today. There are many radical ideas even today but Jesus' message of love and acceptance is universal and has stood the test of time because it is such a real and true message, his gift so supreme. If this passage tells me anything it is about acceptance of diverse ideas, about inquiry and knowledge. These ideas are also universal and have stood the test of time. Greeks seeking out Jesus is just one. Jesus accepting and helping the Centurion is another. There are so many examples. 

           I would say it is time for our hearts to act in a more cosmopolitan way. True to Jesus' message of love and acceptance and embracing of all. How cosmopolitan are you?

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.