FOR JESUS, THE LAST ARE THE FIRST
Jesus knew a society divided by barriers of separation and pierced with complex discriminations. In it we find Jews who can enter the temple, and pagans excluded from the ritual; «pure» people with whom you could deal, and «impure» ones you had to avoid; «neighbors» you ought to love, and «un-neighbors» you could abandon; «pious» men who observe the law, and «cursed people» who don’t know or fulfill what’s written; «healthy» people blessed by God, and «sick ones» cursed and without access to the temple; «just» people, and men and women who are «sinners».
Jesus’ action in this society ends up so surprising that still today we resist accepting it. He doesn’t adopt the posture of the groups of Pharisees, who avoid all contact with the impure and sinners. He doesn’t follow the elitist attitude of Qumran, where precise lists are drawn up of those who remain excluded from the community.
Jesus precisely comes close to those who are most discriminated against. He sits down to eat with publicans. He lets his feet be kissed by a woman sinner. He touches the lepers with his hand. He seeks to save «what is lost». The people call him «friend of sinners». With provocative insistence he goes about repeating that «the last will be the first», and that the publicans and prostitutes are going ahead of the Scribes and the priests on the way to God’s reign.
Who today really suspects the alcoholics, homeless, beggars, and all those who make up the dregs of society can be the first before God? Who dares to think that the prostitutes, drug addicts or those affected by SIDA are able to go in front of quite a few church people of stainless life?
Yet, though almost no one would say it, you dear ones, the undesirables and anathematized, must know that the God revealed in Jesus Christ really remains your friend. You are able to «understand» and welcome God’s forgiveness better than many Christians who don’t feel the need to repent of anything.
When we avoid you, God comes close to you. When we humiliate you, God defends you. When we despise you, God welcomes you. In your darkest night you aren’t alone. In your deepest humiliation, you aren’t abandoned. There’s no place for you in our society or in our heart. That’s precisely why you have a privileged place in God’s heart.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
