Today’s scripture: Mark 2:13-17 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
With whom do you prefer to spend your time?
For whom are you most likely to extend generosity and kindness?
Do you find it easier to pray for certain people or groups of people versus another?
Here’s something I’d like to suggest each one of us consider — seriously consider!
What thoughts and feelings do you have when you think about these people?
Lepers, paralytics, the demon-possessed, tax collectors
Ok. What about these people?
Alcoholics, drug addicts, HIV infected people, prostitutes, homeless people, incarcerated people
Or these people?
Shut-ins, hospice patients, foster home children, nursing home patients
One more time…
People of the Navajo nation, people of Sudan, gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people.
Now it’s not too difficult for any of us to acknowledge the fact that each human being represented in any of the above groups is someone else’s son or daughter or family member. Right?
Nor is it too difficult for us to agree that God created and unconditionally loves each one represented above. Right? Are you positive?
In reminding us of Jesus MCC’s recent outreach campaign, may I ask, “Would Jesus discriminate against any person in any of the populations listed above?” I would ask that you intentionally search your thoughts and feelings when you answer this question.
Is it possible that while we might answer an emphatic “NO” to the discrimination question, that our own decisions regarding the people with whom we choose to spend time, extend generosity and kindness, and even intentionally pray for reflect something that needs our attention?
The Apostle Mark has very clearly provided story after story of the inclusivity of Jesus’ outreach everywhere He traveled. The Master was clear that the value and worth of God’s children was not tied to economic or political status, health, race, gender, nationality, age, orientation, profession, or any external factor. In so doing He modeled the mandate, “Love one another, as I have loved you!”
Indeed, each human being in any population of people is to be regarded as a child of God. In doing so, they become family. Our family. Our brother and sister. Our kind of people.
Thought for the day: We are all ONE! We are ALL one!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.