CAMINANDO WITH JESUS: The Heart of the Matter

Brendan Murphy on September 11, 2019

Pentecost 14, Proper 19 | September 15, 2019

By the Rev. John K. Gibson


CAMINANDO WITH JESUS is a series of reflections on the Sunday Gospel by clergy and laity from across the Diocese. 

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All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying,This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.

So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

– Luke 15:1-10


The humid, late-summer night air clung like gooey, pink cotton candy. In the darkness, cicadas buzzed incessantly as if high-voltage power lines hovered nearby. Underneath a street light’s glare, three vestry members huddled in the parking lot after their monthly meeting.

“They don’t have any place here,” Jim grumbled.

“If we become a sanctuary for illegals, we’ll lose our biggest givers,” Pam muttered.

“And half the congregation, too!” Carr bellowed, jabbing his index finger into the air, his bow tie quivering.

The last light in the church went out. The side door slammed shut. “Are y’all talking about that sanctuary thang?” drawled Jann, the senior warden, walking toward them.

“He broke the law.” Carr growled.

“What’s broke is our immigration system,” Jann responded. “Y’all know JosĂ©. He’s good people. He just wanted a better life. He pays his taxes. He’s a great carpenter. His wife and son are Americans, for goodness sake. They’re members of our church. Have been for years. If he hadn’t got that speeding ticket, he wouldn’t be in this mess. Lord knows, I’ve gotten enough speeding tickets.”

“Lord knows the rector has, too. She’s got a heavy foot.” Jim said.

“If he came here legally, he wouldn’t be in this mess and he wouldn’t be draggin’ us in to it, too.” Carr stated flatly.

“He isn’t draggin’ us into anything, Carr. Edna suggested we become a sanctuary.” Jann countered.

“Yeah. Ever since she got elected to the vestry, she’s always suggestin’ somethin’ like that. Give it a rest, I say.” Carr muttered.

“Anybody got a cigarette?” Jim asked.

“You still smokin’? I thought you quit.” Pam said.

“I did, but I didn’t. I can’t kick it.” Jim answered.

“In our Bible study, at the start of the meeting tonight, we talked about the lost sheep. Do you remember?” Jann asked. “Jesus asks which one of us wouldn’t go look for our lost sheep. I don’t like the situation any more than y’all, but José’s one of us. We can’t turn our backs on him.”

“And what about the 99? What about the rest of us?” Carr asked.

“Look, I want to do what we can to help him, Jann. I just don’t like the idea of becoming some criminal refuge. Isn’t there another way?” Jim asked.

Pam interjected, “Has anyone contacted an immigration lawyer?”

“I don’t know. It’s worth looking into.” Jann replied.

In the distance there was a muffled explosion. The street light flickered briefly.

“There goes another transformer.” Jim said, looking at the darkness around them.

“It’s late. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow.” Jann said. “Ask around if anyone knows a good immigration lawyer. Let’s pray for guidance and go from there.”

Grumbling. Parking lot conversations. We’ve all seen, heard or been a part of them. All too often they swirl around who’s in and who’s out. Hispanics? Undocumented? African-Americans? Anglos? Gays? Divorced? Gentiles? Tax collectors? Sinners? The list is endless, but, ultimately, it boils down to “those people,” whoever they may be, “the other.”

Jesus erases the distinction between them and us. In the Ancient World, eating with someone is no casual matter. It indicates an important social relationship. Jesus embraces tax collectors and sinners when he sits down with them. In the act of breaking bread, he reveals the inclusive nature of God’s realm.

Jesus does this throughout his ministry. At a time when rabbis refuse even to talk to a woman much less to have a female follower, he praises Mary, sitting at his feet in the traditional position of a disciple, for choosing “the better part” (Luke 10:38-42). He, also, makes the Samaritan, who was considered by Jews a half-breed idolater, the one “who is my neighbor” (Luke 10:25-37).

Jesus focuses on the heart instead of divisive, external appearances. Speaking to the Pharisees, he says, “”You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts” (Luke 16:15 NRSV). He teaches his disciples, “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 NRSV).

Jesus radically reveals that the one and the ninety-nine alike are welcomed into God’s household by grace. Paul writes, “For there is no distinction (between Jew and Gentile), since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24 NRSV).

All too often in our churches, workplaces, schools and private lives, we associate primarily with those who are like us. Who is the other for you? In the spirit of Jesus, how might you take a step toward that person? What might your congregation do to become more diverse, to be Beloved Community in your area, to reveal God’s love for all persons?

The Rev. John K. Gibson is vicar of Grace, Clayton. 

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