Strange priests: a reflection for Day 5 of Lent
"Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10.36-37) Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem. Jesus’ mission was, simply put, the kingdom of God . And yet, Jesus’ vision of the kingdom didn’t square with any of the other visions on offer. Jesus’ vision was one of compassion and mercy, of peace and wholeness (= “shalom”). Through Jesus, the kingdom of God was indeed present (cf. Lk. 11.20, 17.20-21), albeit subtly (Lk. 13.18-21). Only those with “healthy eyes” could see it (Lk. 11.33-36). In Luke chapter 10, we find a whimsical exchange between a “scribe” and Jesus. This expert in the law of Moses wants to “test” Jesus, i.e. to put him on the spot and see whether he knows his stuff. The scribe asks, “What must I do to in...