He wanted them to change, of course, the way he wants every one of us to change. I think that Jesus ate at his equivalent of our dive bar because he liked the people. Not just loved them, but liked them, enjoyed them for themselves, took pleasure in their company and felt happy just hanging out with them. They are the same kind of people, I’m guessing, that Jesus ate with. In fact, I like them better than most Catholics I know. Though many of the older patrons grew up Catholic, no one, as far as I can tell, ever goes into a church. Some of these people live (I am sure, but I don’t ask) in irregular sexual relationships, as Catholics understand it, and perhaps enjoy illegal substances as well as substantial amounts of alcohol. I had also talked with the 30-something programming whiz who shares very intricate conspiracy theories, the man who admits to drinking a lot but prides himself on getting up the next morning and doing a good job at work, a huge young man who once asked if I could get him a girlfriend and then if he could sit on my lap (which baffled me until he called me “Santa”) and several other people who use the F-word in a creative variety of ways. I came across the meme one evening in our townie dive bar, after spending a couple of hours sitting with my young friend who believes in crystals and three kinds of aliens (one that looks like birds), and my older friend, a retired cop. John Henry Newman explained, but with many others as well. If Jesus became man, then he became a man who had friends. The judgmentalism is bad, but I think the worst thing about the meme is that it effectively denies Jesus’ humanity. Some in the Catholic world feel a need, even a compulsion, to make sure that judgment is always pronounced whenever mercy is offered. How will they sin no more if they don’t feel condemned? By this thinking, sinners-or at least certain categories of sinners-must never be allowed to forget their offenses. They are accusing people today of pretense and virtue-signaling, and of abusing Jesus’ example as a way to excuse sinners and their sins. But those sharing this quote are not really talking about Jesus. Does anyone think that Jesus did what he did because he “wanted to appear inclusive,” or to impress others? Of course not. It would take some time to explain how bad this meme is, starting with its answering a claim no one ever makes. His call is transformation of life not affirmation of identity.” He ate with them to call them to a changed and fruitful life, to die to self and live for him. It said, “Jesus didn’t dine with tax collectors and sinners because he wanted to appear inclusive, tolerant, and accepting. The meme popped up on my Facebook feed, shared by a friend and liked by a lot of people.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |