Before retiring from Federal Service 23 years ago, I used to travel frequently. While traveling, and not frantically rushing to the gate to catch my plane, I sometimes would ‘people watch’ other travelers. There were students and business people engaged with their laptops until the very last moment before boarding. There were families, with two or three little ones in tow, each with her/his little carry-on bag wheeling down the concourse. On occasion there was the obvious athletic team, or a tourist group gathered in various clusters, excitedly sharing their recent adventures together.
In today’s Gospel (Luke 8:1-3), Jesus is in traveling mode, making his way from town to village as he proclaims the Good News of God’s love. The scripture passage, that seems so matter‑of-fact on the surface, carried a startling message to the people in those towns and villages he visited, even before Jesus opened his mouth. Jesus is traveling with a large group of 12+ men AND some women who are not traveling with their fathers, sons, husbands, or a male relative, which was an unacceptable practice back then, as it is in some cultures even today. The passage also identifies some of the women by name (Mary of Magdala, Johanna, and Suzanna) who provided for Jesus and the others using their own funds.
To an onlooker in those small villages, Jesus was certainly drawing attention, not only to the message of God’s love in his words, but in how he lived and traveled with others. God’s love and presence calls everyone to respond to Jesus. We witness this over and over by those whom he called to be his friends and companions.
As a Christian, do I live my life as witnessed by Jesus – a living message of God’s love for everyone? Who do I call my friends? With whom do I associate, connect with, and invite into my day-to-day life? To whom am I available?
Interestingly, in today’s first reading (1 Corinthians 15:12‑20), Paul challenges the people of Corinth who have questioned the resurrection of the dead, and thus the resurrection of Jesus. I can’t help but smile at the echo of the same questioning that happened earlier when the disciples found it difficult to believe Mary of Magdala, who first witnessed Jesus resurrected (John 20: 14-16). Was their struggle one of belief in the idea of resurrection, or was it a struggle with the person that Jesus chose to be the first witness (a woman: notice Paul yesterday did not mention the very first person to see Jesus resurrected was Mary Magdala)?
Even as I raise these questions about the followers of Jesus and the people in Corinth, I sometimes find it difficult to listen to and place my attention/trust in others’ points of view when I have a different perspective. In struggling with differing political, religious, or spiritual perspectives, does my resistance stem from my entrenchment in my beliefs and perspectives, or from my wariness of others who are unlike me?
As I ponder these questions and reflect on today’s readings, I pray that I will re-center my focus on the real message: God is love and He invites all to accept, respond to, and celebrate God’s presence in our lives. How will I live this message of love, especially with those with whom I may not agree or share my beliefs and point of view? Perhaps this will be especially important as I/we in the United States enter the last 45 days of campaigning for our Presidential elections.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!