Last week we thought about solitude, a theme to which we will be returning during our reflections on prayer, and the importance of touch, of breaking down or setting aside, or reaching past the boundaries that separate us from each other. This morning, let’s build on what we began last week by reflecting on community, on our community, and on the healing power of community, because this is an important, an essential part of what we are, of who we are as a church.
The scripture lesson that came to mind when I thought about this theme was the story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke. In this encounter, Jesus, not surprisingly, takes a counter-cultural stand; he claims his own authority in initiating a relationship with Zacchaeus. Jesus is undoubtedly aware that “the crowd” views Zacchaeus as a pariah. As a tax collector, a minion of the Roman occupying force that is bleeding the people of Israel dry through the taxes they impose, Zacchaeus is, not without cause, despised by his fellow Israelites. No one would even think of sharing a meal with him! They would rather break bread with a leper!
I have read the story of Zacchaeus many times. As I read it this past week, I knew what I wanted to say about this encounter. The story tells us something about Jesus; it tells us something about Zacchaeus; and it tells us something about ourselves.
Last week we thought about solitude, a theme to which we will be returning during our reflections on prayer, and the importance of touch, of breaking down or setting aside, or reaching past the boundaries that separate us from each other. This morning, let’s build on what we began last week by reflecting on community, on our community, and on the healing power of community, because this is an important, an essential part of what we are, of who we are as a church.
The scripture lesson that came to mind when I thought about this theme was the story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke. In this encounter, Jesus, not surprisingly, takes a counter-cultural stand; he claims his own authority in initiating a relationship with Zacchaeus. Jesus is undoubtedly aware that “the crowd” views Zacchaeus as a pariah. As a tax collector, a minion of the Roman occupying force that is bleeding the people of Israel dry through the taxes they impose, Zacchaeus is, not without cause, despised by his fellow Israelites. No one would even think of sharing a meal with him! They would rather break bread with a leper!
I have read the story of Zacchaeus many times. As I read it this past week, I knew what I wanted to say about this encounter. The story tells us something about Jesus; it tells us something about Zacchaeus; and it tells us something about ourselves.