A reflection on Luke 13:1-5
Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
How does Jesus’ call to be transformed in the face of tragedy challenge us to embrace solidarity with all of humanity?
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”
Luke 13:1-5
Be Transformed
“They got what they deserved.” Disparaging judgments pass through the crowd, chattering about the unfortunate Galileans. Jesus, however, turns the judgment back on them.
“But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!“
Shattering the notion that “calamity befalls the unrighteous” (Job 31:3), Jesus warns the living to return to the Lord (metanoēte, “be transformed in mind and heart”). Any day could be our last.
Biblical Personalism and Solidarity
At the heart of the crowd’s idle chatter lay a distorted metaphysic: an atomistic conception of humanity. Unsympathetic finger pointing and judgmentalism manifest an illusion of separatism. In reality, all persons are one in adam (humankind). When God drew Eve from the side of Adam, the basis for the law, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” emerged. The neighbor is none other than one’s own body.
Christ, the second Adam born of Mary, does not separate himself from sinners but assumes human nature without sin. Instead of criticizing the calamities of others from the sidelines or gloating that they “deserve it,” Jesus bears their sin upon the cross unto death. By reversing the fractured individualism of the Fall, he gathers people of every nation to himself.
Biblical personalism, rooted in the person and work of Christ, recognizes humanity as both one and many. “We, though many, are one body in Christ” (Romans 12:5). Thus, the suffering of one is the suffering of all. Out of this vision, Paul exhorts, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). With excruciating compassion, the Son of God embraces a criminal’s death in perfect solidarity with the perishing.
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Acts 22:7
Self and Other are so closely entwined:
The suff’ring of one wounds all humankind.
Dear GMC, Thank you for your reflection. It reminds me of another beautiful thought by Richard Rohr: “We are often most gifted to heal others precisely where we ourselves were wounded, or wounded others.” Thank you, GMC, for continuing to inspire us and calling us to our better selves.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15)
I knew my friend as a “prayer warrior” sustained by Holy Scripture and the Eucharist. At her funeral her brother-in-law read the eulogy. His voice broke at one point, tears and crying followed. His wife, sister of the deceased came up beside him and he continued. Several former co-workers spoke of her leadership while serving as Corrections Captain in Rikers jail, New York City. A career of thirty years in a challenging environment! Her sister spoke of her love of family and church. Christian solidarity was evident.
Rest in peace, Renee.
Thank you for sharing about your beloved friend, Ellen. May Renee rest in peace.