Monday of the Third Week of Lent

Lectionary: 237

They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Jesus’ warning, though well-intended, was not well received. He urged his people not to take their blessings for granted. You would think they might appreciate the warning. They should consider the dangers of presumption and entitlement and acknowledge their debt of gratitude to their gracious God. They should remember their many sins – the innumerable missed opportunities for generosity; the many times they took advantage of the weakness and foolishness of others; and the moments when they fulfilled their duties haphazardly, without full attention – and thank God he had sent them such a Savior.

But the Galileans were in no mood for Jesus’ reminder. It’s not hard to imagine why. Their country was occupied by a Roman army that supported the wealthy, influential and powerful and ignored the needs of the people. The alien soldiers despised the Jews and were known to ransack their homes and villages, killing men, women, children and livestock. The natives wanted a redeemer who would improve their lot, not someone who would tell them, “Be grateful for what you’ve got.”

Feeling victimized and abandoned, they wanted no reminders of their traditional hospitality to the victim and the stranger. “Charity begins at home!” they might have said to Jesus. “We’ll take care of our needs first, and then we’ll spare some change for others.”

Since prehistoric times the instinct for survival has propelled human beings to migrate. Sometimes they do it with an army to lead them, as the Mongols conquered Asia; more often they arrive defenseless and empty handed. Often they are not welcomed by the country’s occupants. 

The Eye of Providence

Jesus presented himself in our world as an outsider. Although his hometown was Bethlehem by Joseph’s family, he grew up in Egypt and Nazareth. As an adult he left his home in Capernaum to wander, following the tortuous path that led to Jerusalem and Calvary. He knew the plight of the migrant personally. He knew the have-nots are often more generous than the haves; they know God's mercy. 

More importantly, Jesus knew that God provides for his people and for those who welcome his people. What you do for the least of my disciples you do for me. We would do well to contemplate that mysterious sign on our dollar bill, that reminds us of our Providential Father.