In
today’s Gospel reading, Jesus recounts the disobedience that has a part of the
history of the people of Israel. He recalls not only the story of Noah and the
ark, but also the dramatic story from Genesis about the Lord’s destruction of
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which took place because the people willfully
sinned against God and his law, as they were unwilling to repent and to change
their hearts. Lot
and his family were spared destruction because their faith was a glimmer of
hope in the midst of so much darkness. In
all of the chaos of fleeing to the safety that God promised to them, Lot’s wife
still disobeys the Lord and his orders, suffering the consequences by being
turned into a pillar of salt. Jesus
reminds us of these story to illustrate the importance of being obedient to
God, of following his will in our lives, of the consequences we will endure for
our sinful actions. In
the United States, rugged individualism and self-expression is held in so high
esteem. Some
think that our freedom of speech gives us the right to say whatever is on our
minds and to lash out at others in anger and hatred. Sometimes we write a text or an email in that anger, not realizing the damage
we can do, not realizing that our words are not proclaiming God’s kingdom or
building it up here on earth. So
often we want to follow our own will or the ways of the world that call out to
us so strongly. However, Jesus tells us that those who are disobedient will pay the price. J. May we heed this warning.
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