Word to the Wise
Thursday, November 7, 2024 - Thursday in the 31th Week in Ordinary Time
[Phil 3:3-8a and Luke 15:1-10]The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." [Luke]
NOVEMBER 7, 2024 THURSDAY IN THE 31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [All Saints of the Order of Preachers]
[Philippians 3:3-8a and Luke 15:1-10 - These are the scriptures in the Roman calendar. Dominicans celebrate a feast day today and scriptures will vary at those locations]
In the Middle East, who one dines with and where one sits at table was a sure sign of prestige and honor. One of the most frequent scenes in the gospels is a banquet, and Jesus dined with Pharisee and tax collector alike. He went to the homes of Simon (a Pharisee) and Zaccheus (a tax collector) to dine. But the Pharisees and scribes who believed that to touch any "tax collector" or "sinner" was to incur ritual impurity and be unable to participate at the temple. The evangelist Luke, whose gospel account has mercy as a major theme, sets the scene of a banquet as a symbol of God's invitation and initiative to mercy. The two parables recounted today are part of a "triptych" that will end with the parable of the Prodigal Son!!
The shepherd who leaves the flock to find a missing member and the woman who sweeps the house to find a lost coin speak to God's desire to have everyone come to the banquet table. Pope Francis has been severely criticized by some Catholic circles for meeting with groups of people who have been marginalized in the church - e.g. LGBTQ folks - and for reaching out to divorced and remarried people (Amoris laetitia) and for including women and even non-Christians in the washing of feet on Holy Thursday! He has referred to the church as a "field hospital for the sick and wounded."
The gospel makes clear what Jesus' attitude is. What is ours? AMEN