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Mercy, Not Karma
Grace to you and
peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
It’s not easy to
be a Samaritan. Well, actually, if you’re born in Samaria, then it’s very easy to be a
Samaritan. But existing the way a Samaritan existed in a Jewish culture is a
difficult thing. In historical context, every pure Jewish person saw Samaritans
as unclean, and if you were a Samaritan, the Jew wanted nothing to do with you.
And if he did condescend to interact with you, then you could be sure that he
would mock you and curse you and even spit on you. Nobody wants to be that guy.
After all, it’s hard to be hated by everyone you see; we all want to be liked.
But as hard as that would be, it’s even harder to be the Good Samaritan. It’s
hard to look upon that person who either ignores you or treats you like dirt
and then, seeing that person beaten and bloody and dying, to pick him up and
tend his wounds and carry him to safety.
But you know you want
to be that Good Samaritan. “Lord, if I was in that position, I would certainly
help.” And maybe you even believe you mean it. After all, as Jesus said, “The spirit, indeed, is willing.” But if
that is true—and it is—then it’s also true when Jesus adds, “The flesh is weak.” If your boss gives
you a hard time at work every day for months at a time, could you honestly say
you wouldn’t at least smile to see the man taken down a peg by his boss?
If someone cuts you off in traffic, could you honestly say you wouldn’t smile
to see her pulled over by a police officer? If a classmate makes fun of you in
the hallway, could you honestly say you wouldn’t laugh to see him slip and fall
on his behind? The truth is, you drive by the stranger who is stranded on the
road in the dead of winter. The truth is, you walk by the beggar who hides in
the doorway. Our culture is terribly invested in the idea that you get what you
deserve. We like the pagan idea of Karma: you get what’s coming to you. And you
think the other guy has it coming to him. But in reality, you are that man who
lies bloody, beaten, dying in sin. And what’s more, that is the fate you
deserve.
The lawyer who
confronted Jesus should have known better. He thought to test the Lord. He was
looking for knowledge. He just wanted to see if Jesus met his standards, if
Jesus knew what he did. He asked: “What
must I do to inherit eternal life?” But the question showed more than he
meant. He thought he was clever, but actually showed his ignorance. Inheritance
isn’t a matter of doing; inheritance is always the gift of birth. An inheritance
only changes hands at death.
And that’s what it
takes for sinners to receive eternal life: it takes death. The Kingdom is
overthrown by violence. God gives up His crown in death. It is now yours by the
birthright of Holy Baptism, a holy inheritance in the living Christ. Your
bloodline now runs through the cross and you are the rightful heir of heaven.
The crown changed hands by war. God in flesh surrendered to death to take away
the power of death, to crush the serpent, to make you His.
Blessed are the
eyes that see what you see and the ears which hear what you hear. It has been
given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. The mercy of God
is hidden here. The Divine plan of God's rescue for men is hidden as Jesus
changes the question. No longer do you ask, “Who
is my neighbor?” meaning to find a way to keep the law or to find an excuse
for breaking it. Instead you must ask, “Who
was neighbor to this man?” Jesus is your neighbor. He has done what you and
the Law could not. He has had mercy. He didn't have to. He was free of
obligation. He was moved by His own compassion. He bound up your wounds to take
them into Himself. You rode. He walked. He paid for everything, and He promised
to come back. This is what the Kingdom
of Heaven is like. It is
like an unexpected rescue from death by an outsider who loves everyone
perfectly.
My brothers and
sisters in Christ, who has been your neighbor? Who loves you as He loves
Himself? Who is no phony, but is genuine and authentic? Who makes no profit
from your friendship but loves you anyway without fail? The answer to that
question is life and salvation: Jesus is the One who had mercy. In the name of
the Father and of the Son (†) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen.
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