That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
He is truly risen! Alleluia!
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father”
As we continue in our Pre-Lenten journey of preparation let us today focus on drawing distinctions.
It is in distinctions that we enter the process of focusing on differences. He or she is not like me. They are different! From there it becomes easier to see and use distinctions as reason for eventually making the other our enemy.
Jesus came on the scene amidst a people who were innately tribal in their mentality. Israel’s tribalism was represented throughout its social, political, and religious structures. Loyalty to one’s tribe took precedence over centralized authority. Thus, why Israel’s kings and conquerors had such difficulty in ruling and coalescing the people. The tribe resisted that kind of control.
In Israel’s society religious exclusivity and tribe/family survival was of utmost importance.
As such, outsiders, if not viewed with utter disdain and hatred were nevertheless suspect. They were different, they were distinct from the tribe.
Here comes Jesus Who by his very travels and encounters with Gentiles and Samaritans as well as His teachings calls for a much broader application of the Royal Law which we heard in our first reading from Leviticus: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
This way of life, rule, and Law is called “royal” because it comes from the King of Kings, Jesus. This supreme rule governing relationships prioritizes selfless love over distinction.
St. Paul tells the Corinthians: If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
If indeed in Christ there is no distinction, we must use great care not to destroy that which is holy, either ourselves or the other.
Consider in the week ahead how we might set aside distinction this Lent, go the extra mile, and see the way clear to loving as Jesus does.
