Friday, April 29, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Matthew 7:1–12         
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (NRSV)

Reflection
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.” Really, who would give a Bible to the dog? Who (besides the Muppets) would drape a pig in pearls?

Dogs and swine, that’s how ignorant people are described, right? Don’t waste your time with them; they can’t possibly understand the wonderful things you have for them. Sounds like Jesus, right—always dividing people, always finding someone to exclude?

No? Well, if it’s not about exclusion or animal husbandry, what is going on here?

One thing we do pretty often is expect others to value the things we value in the same way we do, without regard for their circumstances. We are like the missionary who goes out among the starving people and says, “I am bringing you the good news!” And the starving people respond “Good news? Does that mean you have food?” And the missionary says “Oh, no, this is better than food! Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled!” And the starving people say, “That’s very nice, but what about those who hunger and thirst after food and water?” And the missionary goes home and laments having to cast his pearls before these swine who don’t appreciate him.

The flock needs to be fed. They need water. They need care. And a wise farmer knows to tend the needs of his stock. We do as much for our animals—why not for our fellow humans?

Is this talking down the gospel? Of course not. The word of God is a wondrous thing. People just need what they need, and Jesus is pretty consistent in telling us to take care of people’s needs. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, minister to the sick. That’s love, and if you don’t have love, it doesn’t matter how shiny and holy you think your words are.

Prayer
Lord, grant us empathy so that we may minister out of compassion. Help us to see the needs of others so that we can help meet them, as you have told us. Amen.

Written by Rob Koon, Coordinator of Fine Arts

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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