"Woe to you, hypocrites!"

Today’s episode began with a discussion about Jesus’ statement in Luke 12 relating to the Final Judgement. These verses follow Luke 11 in which Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees included both the Beatitudes and the Woes (the latter of which is unique to Luke’s Gospel). From the Woes and Jesus’ continued discussion in Luke 12, we can understand that the Final Judgement will be about what we did when others were not looking and how we treated people who were despised by those with power and influence in society, and most especially, within religious institutions. We should be welcoming to all who come to our community and demonstrate mercy and justice for the oppressed, recognizing that the Church is not a place for the self-righteous; it is a hospital for sinners.