Jesus' Interview
Proper 17C
Heb. 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14
8/29/10
Lorraine Ljunggren

        When I worked in the business world, one of my responsibilities was interviewing persons seeking employment with our firm. It was commonplace to take out to lunch or dinner prospective candidates who made it past the initial screening process. The mealtime conduct and conversation were very much a part of the interview process. Someone who was short-sighted enough to order French onion soup, ending up with cheese stretched between their chin and the bowl, was not necessarily someone who could rub elbows with the firm's most important clients. Prospective employees were expected to dress in appropriate business attire. It was also expected that candidates would have a not-limp-fish-not-too-hard-but-firm handshake accompanied by good eye contact when introduced to someone. We took for granted that those who made it to the lunch or dinner stage were well rounded, well mannered, and professional. A smart interviewee would be self-confident without being cocky and would certainly never do anything to embarrass the interviewing members of the firm.

        Imagine, if you will, that the Sabbath meal to which Jesus is invited in today's Gospel is actually part of an interview process. Let's pretend that Jesus is applying for a job working with the Pharisee who is the host of the meal. The Pharisee is interested in Jesus because Jesus has quite a reputation, is known to be a person of prayer and to have a strong faith. Some amazing stories exist about the skills of the young itinerant rabbi from Galilee. It isn't every day that the Pharisee gets to interview someone with such a reputation for healing and preaching. Plus, Jesus is known to tell good stories which should add to the joy of the Sabbath meal.

        Jesus arrives at the appointed hour and while his dress is appropriate, his clothing does seem to be a bit worn around the edges. But, they can overlook that for now. The Pharisee and some lawyer guests are planning to watch and listen closely to Jesus so they can decide if he's the right person for the job.

        Well, everyone is no sooner seated at the low tables than something happens in a few verses that our Gospel reading today omits. Suddenly in front of Jesus is a man with dropsy – that's swelling from an accumulation of fluid in joints or other parts of the body – we call it edema. This person would not be included among the invited guests of the Pharisee because he would be considered unclean. So, Jesus as interviewee asks the Pharisee and lawyers if it's lawful to heal the man on the Sabbath. Well, a great silence follows Jesus' question. So, hearing no response, Jesus proceeds to heal the man and send him on his way.

        When Jesus asks a follow-up question about whether someone would, on the Sabbath, pull out of a well a child or one of their oxen who has fallen in, once again there is a great silence. No one answers Jesus' inquiry. But, remember that a person is not supposed to work on the Sabbath. This healing could be considered work and could jeopardize Jesus' prospects for the job.

        So, now we're back in the reading for today. Being an astute observer, when he comes in Jesus notices how guests chose carefully where they sat at the table. It's then that Jesus launches into a story he bases on a reading from Proverbs which says, “Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, 'Come up here,' than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.” (Prov. 25:6-7) Jesus tells a parable about a wedding banquet – a story in which Jesus contends a person should not choose the most important seat but wait for the host to possibly call them to a more-exalted place at table. As stories go, it's not the sort of story that would endear Jesus to those who chose the most important seats at the tables. In telling the story Jesus reveals a lot about who he is, how he thinks, and what he values.

        As if this isn't enough, Jesus directs comments to the host-Pharisee saying that when one gives a luncheon or dinner, don't invite friends or relatives or rich neighbors because the odds are they'll turn around and invite you to a meal. Jesus goes say out on a limb and says when one gives “a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” (Lk. 14:13) Jesus tells the interviewing Pharisee that inviting these outsiders, these 'other people,' who aren't healthy or whole, will result in true blessings. The blessings come because those 'others' can't repay.

        Now, I wouldn't hold out much hope for Jesus getting the job! After today's reading ends, the conversation at the dinner keeps going and it's more and more focused on what Jesus believes God wants for this world in contrast to what we humans generally want.

        I don't know about you, but I confess I like having a seat at a dinner which enables me to talk with my friends or with people I'd like to get to know. It's not easy to sit next to someone who might not have had a bath in weeks or who doesn't own a toothbrush or who is so hungry that manners aren't important at all.

        Luke's Gospel reverses the expectations we have of an orderly social life in which it's easy to identify particular groups of people – what sort of work they do and how much money they have and who sits at table and who serves and even how they worship God. Jesus' form of hospitality draws a circle much wider than the social norms and customs of his day. Jesus' form of hospitality draws a circle much wider than we might find comfortable.

        The Jesus I encounter in the Gospels – Gospels plural – is pretty radical for his day. I like that! I admire that! I'm drawn to that! I aspire to be like that! But Jesus can make me pretty anxious as well. Jesus lives by a very high standard of inclusion that challenges a lot about life in the here and now.

        Jesus' “inclusive actions [stem] from the truth that pure generosity is the nature of God. And it [is] this godly nature that [Jesus comes] to express… Can we be called to do any less?” (H. King Oehmig, Synthesis, 8/29/10)

        Today there is an incredible conflict being played out in the streets of Manhattan, in the media, and on blogs over the prospect that a community center is to be built not on, but not far from what's come to be called 'ground zero.' I personally think calling the plot of land 'ground zero' is too militaristic and does not serve to honor respectfully the lives of those who died or were injured on September 11.

        But, my guess is we know in our heart of hearts that if the community center was to be built by a group of Lutherans or Episcopalians or Methodists, no one would bat an eyelash even if the center included a chapel for prayers and services. But, most of us know, the proposed community center would house a worship space set aside for the five daily times of prayer required in the Muslim tradition.

        Sometimes I am speechless when I hear stories about people who claim to be followers of Jesus the Christ sitting in such harsh judgment of those who differ from them. It sometimes makes me wonder if the Bible I'm reading is a rogue copy and much of the rest of Christendom is reading some other Bible!

        I concede that there are lots of emotions associated with that part of Manhattan – I have my own emotions with which to deal. But, I'm pretty sure the Gospels call me to think with a large circle about things like this proposed community center. It might stretch me or stretch you to think that way. But, I also believe that the hospitality so dear to Jesus has reconciliation at its heart. If reconciliation became the goal in lower Manhattan, then the various parties would be able to sit down together to discern the wisdom of building an Islamic community center in that location.

        The path to reconciliation is not found in name-calling or vilifying other people. The path to reconciliation is not found in threats of violence, verbal or physical. The path to reconciliation is not found in political factions (plural) demeaning other people or demonizing an entire religious group in order to lure voters to their side. The path to reconciliation is paved with the love of the One God who loves the whole of creation and who calls all people of all faiths to love one another. I believe the future of the whole of God's creation rests in that love.

        You and I have a role to play in making that love real! It makes a difference how we engage in conversation with one another, and with other people outside our faith community, about topics as heavily charged as the proposed community center in New York. It makes a difference when the young among us hear our conversations or ask us directly what we think about such topics and why we think we way we do. It makes a difference how we represent our faith tradition whenever we encounter those who worship in other traditions. It makes a difference if we're willing to confess the wrongs our own tradition has done in the name of Christ.

        I don't know what's going to happen in New York City. I hope and pray fervently that the results unfold peacefully and in a spirit of forbearance.

        If we believe that Jesus' “inclusive actions [stem] from the truth that pure generosity is the nature of God. And it [is] this godly nature that [Jesus comes] to express… Can we be called to do any less?” (H. King Oehmig, Synthesis, 8/29/10)

©2010 Lorraine Ljunggren