Genesis 15:1-12,17-18, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35
In this gospel passage, Jesus speaks to ‘Jeruselum’ as if He’s talking to a person. His sense of disappoint and betrayal, His broken-heart-ness is palpable. Regardless of political opinions, we’ve all been disappointed in our society. Safe to say, we’ve all been frustrated with people within it who choose to hurt others who also dwell within the same society.
There is a sense of ‘othering’ or ‘them-us-ing’ which allows and promotes this sort distance and discrimination. But we’ve all had that feeling that, regardless of how different someone is from us, we want to gather them into our arms, protect them, shelter them. So often, these are folks that do not seem to perceive the danger or harm’s way that they are in.
Who is it, which groups of marginalized peoples melt your heart in this way? Is the immigrants who live in the US and are now afraid for their safety? Is it people who have conditions or disabilities and are not afforded the same dignity, choices and respect that others are? Is it people in the US of color, who simply still do not have the same opportunities and advantages that white people do? Is it people with an alternative sexual orientation or gender expression?
We are often moved to take action on social justice issues because we are angry and frustrated. But this gospel reading suggests that we should maybe pay attention to a different sort of feeling. If we focus our efforts on the cause that breaks our hearts, then we find our action can be specific and concrete. Which group of ‘others’ makes your heart melt? Like Jesus in this reading, what group of marginalized people do you want to gather in your arms and shelter?
Journal Questions:
How do you see them-us-ing and other-ing in your communities? How do you respond?
When have you experienced a broken heart and when a melted heart? What’s the difference?
Which cause related to marginalized people melts or breaks your heart?
Writing to Pray 