In this Sunday’s Gospel, Luke records four of Jesus’ quick word-sketch sermons. They are grouped together because they all have to do with our relationships – our attitudes toward others, how we view them, judge them, and often condemn them. We usually do this without first examining ourselves and our faults and shortcomings. “Beware” – be careful, think twice – seems to be the watchword
before each sharp, concise teaching.
Because Jesus wanted people to remember these lessons, he used humour. We all tend to remember a funny story with a good punchline. In the case of these short ‘sermons’, we will ‘get’ what Jesus is saying best if we try to imagine the scene he sketches.
The first lesson is the ridiculousness of one blind person attempting to guide
another blind person and then both stumbling into a hole together!
Jesus tries to emphasise that none of us is perfect. The ‘beware’ or ‘think twice’ message is that we need an all-knowing, clear-seeing and clear-thinking guide to lead us. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, wants to lead us. He wants us to hear his voice and follow him. Only he can lead us safely to the pastures and water he has for us. Others may lead us astray, and we
get lost, but Jesus said, "I am the way".
Think carefully – who or what in the world am I inclined to imitate or follow? A pop star, a politician, an ideology, an economy, a teacher or a religious leader? Who or what tends to be my ‘idol’?
When have I taken my eyes off Jesus, failed to follow his instructions or not heeded his direction, fallen on hard times, gone
astray, or sinned?
Reflections by Reggie Venter
