Vulnerable in a Culture Valuing Toughness

Vulnerable in a Culture Valuing Toughness

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31 and Psalm 1  • Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 and Psalm 54  • James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a  • Mark 9:30-37

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.

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? Read The Rev. Joseph Peters-Matthews "Vulnerable." How are we to act in today's society as Christians?