July 25th - 17th sunday in ordinary time

readings are 

Gn18:20-32

Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

Col 2:12-14

Lk 11:1-13

"Praying with persistence"

In such a time as what we live in, many people will hear the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (in the first reading), and focus on the wrath of God, when in fact, they should be focusing on His mercy. 

"mercy?!? How can you say what he did was mercy!?!"

The translation of the message puts it differently:

God continued, "The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening; the sin of those cities is immense. I'm going down to see for myself, see if what they're doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I'll know."

It says in the beginning of the reading; "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me.

The translation of the message puts it differently:

God continued, "The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening; the sin of those cities is immense. I'm going down to see for myself, see if what they're doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I'll know."

Let's focus on "the cries of the victims".  Who's a victim? Well, anyone who's victimized. Anyone who isn't treated with the dignity that's due to them. A lot of people focus on the preported sexual promiscuity of the city, but some theological scholars say that it was also a lack of hospitality (which Abraham show generously showed in last weeks reading) that was the greater sin. 

Noted author Henri Nouwen once said, "the greatest sign of a Christian was their sense of hospitality" Well, of course it would be extremely inhospitable to "force" an agenda on someone, without their willing permission. This is the "grave" sin that God speaks of - when one knowingly and willingly compromises the sanctity and dignity of another human person for personal gain (of any kind). The opposite of love isn't hate, as Pope John Paul 2 spoke in the Theology of the Body, it's use. To use someone for personal gain (whether it be emotional, psychological or physical) is a terrible sin against God. 

Abraham tries to bargain for the city, saying, "if there's 50 good people, would you destroy it?" This of course, isn't about whether or not there's 50, or 40, or 30, or 20, or even 10 people (which btw would have been about the number of Abrahamam's nephew's family (Lot) - the point is there aren't enough righteous people. There's not enough good deeds in the world to make up for all that we have transgressed - against the human family, against the planet, against ourselves. The only one who can stand in the gap is God Himself, in Christ. This is what Paul refers to in Col 2:12-14, when he says, "and even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He brought you to life along with Him, having forgive us all our transgressions, obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims….."

Does your heart beat faster when you read that? Dang. He obliterated the bond against us. The bond against you that tells you you're not good enough; that you're not worth anything; that you are weak and a sinner and wont amount to anything. 

Have you ever watched a real trial? The prosecution's job is to prove that you are guilty - and they make a case for you. Satan stands from Hell and yells to God continually all the sins of mankind, trying to accuse us of our guilt; and it is only by humbly admitting, "you are right", that we can turn to him and say

"BUT. HE obliterated it; and He has forgiven me"

I am realizing more and more every day that the good news is so good, it becomes harder to believe in a world that is more and more full of bad news. It seems so unbelievable. But it's true. 

It's when you walk in this reality, that you come to understand this is why Jesus in the Gospel teaches about God as a Father who answers the cries of His children - who are His children? Everyone - regardless of race, color, or creed - everyone is made in the image and likeness of God. But it is through Jesus that we have the potential to come to realize the fullness of our inheritance as that child; that we have a Father who promises us His Spirit, His Holy Spirit - to be given to us freely. It is then that we walk in sight of Him, hearing the outcry against injustice and poverty.

God bless - have a great week