This week's lectionary presents us with contrasts. Contrasts between toughness and gentleness; envy and selfish ambition contrasted with mercy and sacrifice; disorder, partiality, hypocrisy and wickedness contrasted with peacefulness and purity.
And Jesus tells his disciples that the Son of Man must be put to death, and the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Then he shows them what he means. He takes a little child in his arms, and tells them that whoever welcomes one such child in his name, welcomes him, and whoever welcomes him, welcomes God.
James tells us to draw near to God, and he will draw near to us. In the midst of the refugee crises of our world, Cari Jackson invites us to welcome, to receive others with gladness or delight, especially in the face of need, and in so doing, to see the face of God in all people. See "Syrian Refugee Crisis: Our Chance to See God."
In "Tough Guys," Todd Edmundson takes us through all of this week's scripture. After reading that, I ask you, who are the real tough guys? Why?
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