Who is worthy today?

I ask this question because it shapes our lives together.  Who is worthy of God's love and forgiveness today, Monday, June 13th?  Who is worthy to take their place in our society without oppression? without harrassment?  without fear?  Even when we disagree with them, who is worthy to take their place as a brother or sister in our shared humanity?

We need to wrestle with this question.  Do we count some folks as 'less than' us?  Although we might not go out and oppress these individuals, are we silent when others do?  Is there a place in our hearts where we really aren't terribly surprised or upset that these people get the wrong end of the stick?  Do we tsk-tsk over violent acts that rob them of health, peace and sometimes their own lives?

When we look askance on another class of individuals - a group formed by their actions or beliefs or gender or race or religion - we are convincing ourselves that We are right. We are more worthy.

Sometimes we think we are more worthy because we have worked hard for our position and so obviously they have not.

Sometimes we think we are more worthy because they are strange, follow strange rituals, and make us feel uncomfortable.  Our comfort is the norm we follow.

Sometimes we think we are more worthy because 'they' could always act differently and keep themselves out of harm's way.  They need to make a greater effort to keep themselves safe.

Safe from us.  The ones who are more worthy.  We are more worthy because we have more money, the greater power, the right gender, the right skin color, the right Holy Days.

On a day like today, when 50 people were gunned down because they were different......because they were counted as 'not worthy'........because too many 'regular' folk will remain silent at their slaughter........our silence is deafening.

The story of the Pharisee and the woman who anoints Jesus cautions us about determining in our own hearts who is worthy of God's love and grace and life-giving forgiveness.  It embarrasses us with our cultural assumptions.  It cautions us about counting ourselves as more worthy than another. Luke 7.36ff.

And, please note:  it cautions us about holding these thoughts in our hearts even when we never speak them aloud.  Jesus knows.    

Today is a good day to wrestle with our hearts, our neighbors, and Jesus' call to love.  When we treat folks as if they have no value, we give permission for society to oppress them.  Our society.  Us.

Perhaps today is the day for our silence to end.  For who among us is truly worthy?

It's either ALL or its NONE.