A re-examining

Matthew 13:47-52

          When anyone reads this passage I can only presume that they think that they are not one of the fish judged as 'bad'. This kind of passage is used to identify and justify whole groups as the ones that are going to be saved. Maybe even, already saved (noses raised). At the same time, it intentionally or not, is used to denigrate whole other groups as 'not saved', not preferred or not being in agreement with what 'we beleive'.

          There is a passage of scripture though in Matthew (15:27) and also in Mark (7:28) in which a woman reminds Jesus that even the dogs eat the scraps set out for the children (of God, presumably). At this statement , Jesus notes the woman's faith and heals her daughter of whatever demon has possessed her. Salvation for one of the 'bad' fish?

           We read scripture and live our lives often seeing the world as we want to see it. We take solace in others opinions especially if it means we are saved or if we don'tt have to think for ourselves. We scarcely note, if at all, that in the process we may be demeaning others or treating them as unworthy. In fact, some people read scripture and will forcefully admit and profess that "they" are not saved, whoever "they" happen to be. The forcefulness of scripture and the way we read it or the way it was interpreted becomes our battle cry and our weapon for self justification and for bashing others. Yet this is the furthest from what Christ intended.

          From careful reading, re-imagining and careful re-examination of translations we feel comfortable with, we may find God's love is much expansive and inclusive that we might have imagined. This kind of effort can be quite challenging in the exam itself and perhaps more so in the execution ( what we are ultimately called to do and how t act). Are you willing to embrace the person you thought was anathema?

          

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’