Who’s in? Who’s out? These readings from the Bible say, “Stop gatekeeping and start caring.” In other words, people first, identity tests never. But don’t forget to thank the real helpers who make care possible. We must widen care across borders, resist gatekeeping zeal, and aim gratitude at the people who actually heal!
Have you noticed how often debates about faith and politics become debates about worthiness? Who’s “in,” who’s “out,” and who gets to control the gate? These old stories are trying to nudge us away from border-check religion and toward something simpler: people first, purity or identity tests never!
Welcome to Mythologizing the Bible, where we’ll be taking a look at three readings from the Christian Bible through the lens of “sacred myth.”
As we reflect on the readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, we’ll explore why help shouldn’t depend on identity, how zeal can slide into gatekeeping, and why gratitude belongs with the real helpers and the systems that make help easy to reach.
What happens if we focus on widening the circle of care, removing the barriers to access, and measuring our faith (or our ethics) by how quickly and fairly people can get care? Because if belief is going to mean anything, it should look like open doors and neighbors protected.
