A Tower
Originally uploaded by auntjojo
The gospel text for this week (Luke 13:1-9) begins with the crowd asking Jesus about those who suffered under Pontius Pilate. They seemed to wonder if those who had suffered were more guilty than others. It is not surprising that Jesus' response is strong and to the point. Jesus is aware that he, too, will soon suffer and that some may interpret his suffering as proof of his guilt. Jesus' response encompasses not only those who suffer at the hands of corrupt officials, but those who suffer in accidents and disasters as well. He speaks of 18 who died when a tower fell on them. Were they guilty of something? Of course not! A reminder for all those who are looking on the earthquakes and other disasters taking place in the world and seeing them as signs of God's absence. No... Jesus is clear and direct in this passage. Suffering is not a sign of sin. While it may be a consequence of sin, there are many reasons why a person might suffer. Suffering seems to be at the heart of the human experience, an experience that Christ is about to embrace wholeheartedly, even unto his death.
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