A Journey to Joy

The Pharisees valued their own paltry concerns more than the joy the banquet host invites them to share. Thus they have excluded themselves from the ultimate joy, the feast of the joy of sharing with the Lord himself and so with all the guests as well. Such exclusionary "joy" as has been the motive in the worldly banquet that day must rob them of true joy. How can one feast in the presence of hungry misery, and not be touched by the sad irony in their "joy"? We are faced with the reality that there may be local and accessible ways the grand issues of life may be distilled on our own lives. Just as the disciples had to "follow" Jesus, and hear his teaching and watch his active compassion, even so we must see Jesus' love for us as more than a privileged interest in "me alone," and more than mere rescue from guilt and eternal punishment. We must become aware that the gospel is more than personal property, and not merely exculpatory. It is not just about me, it is about a kingdom of love, grace, righteousness, in which all who can be made new have an essential part and find their common identity in God's will.