Wednesday, October 16, 2013

St Ignatius of Antioch

"Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?" Rom 3:29

One of the most startling aspects of Christian faith is its inclusiveness. Paul, in writing to the church in Rome, insists that God does not belong to the Jews alone, but that Jesus came for the salvation of all. No one is excluded. Jesus assures us that when we see him, we see God. Further, when we see Christ in others without regard for their religious affiliation, culture, race, gender, or sexual orientation, we meet the God who desires our love and transformation. This is what it means, in part, to be Catholic or universal. All are welcome to the table of plenty, all are loved, all must be treated with the justice of God.

In his own time, Jesus pushed his contemporaries even further, insisting that they go beyond Jewish hospitality laws and customs which were very demanding. The Torah reminds Jews that because they were once "strangers in a strange land," (Lev 19:34) they must welcome strangers and weary travelers, even and especially, the poor. Offering hospitality to the poor, some rabbis taught, is even more important than prayer. Jesus further demands that we must love our enemies. This is what makes us unique and, when we live this challenge, powerful.

When we turn away from those who make us uncomfortable or annoy and anger us, we fail to live the fullness of the Gospel. Only when, like Abraham and Job, we open our homes on all four sides (Jewish hospitality) to make it easier for strangers to approach us in their need, and like Jesus we welcome our enemies to our tables, (Mt 5: 43-48) do we know the God who belongs to all people.

Today, be kind to a stranger.

What most keeps you from loving your enemies?

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