This kind of earthy, very “human” way of opening his words of teaching and invitation probably drove Jesus’ critics absolutely bonkers! So much that what Jesus said and did could be interpreted as disrespectful and irreverent – if that was how you wanted him to be seen or heard. But, in today’s Gospel passage, as in so many places recorded in Scripture, Jesus spoke in a way that he knew the people would be able to understand.
I’m not sure what troubled his critics more: the fact that Jesus seemed to lower the conversation and even prayer to a place they deemed unworthy of God, or the fact that so many people couldn’t understand or perhaps had lost all interest in the efforts of those same critics but were responding to Jesus with energy.
An embrace and interpretation of Jesus, on the other hand, that seeks the truth in his words, the power in his actions, the faithfulness in his promises... well, that is where I want to be! While there are truly sacred texts in cabinets and on shelves without which we might become lost, the REAL texts are being written each day, in us, in all and especially surprising places, ALL the TIME! While there are sacred and familiar hymns and songs upon which we can rely whenever we gather, the REAL music and lyrics are being written as we live, work, play, encourage, forgive, and share the dream.
The challenge, of course, is to discover the ways in which the formal or “tried and true” give life to and find new life in the very real moments in our lives, and the ways in which the new and unexpected is not carelessly taken as a reason or excuse to dismiss them. Jesus made it clear that he had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. The spiritual, sacramental, and pastoral legacy entrusted to us is forever new, always ours!
Fr. Tom