Just as I am?

Simon Peter in today’s gospel (Lk 5:1-11) makes the amazing discovery that millions of Christians have made since. “Me! You want me? Now, just as I am! A sinner!”(Lk 5: 9)

Yep – that’s it Simon – he loves you now and wants you to work with him – before any conversion or confession or repentance! God’s process doesn’t end in forgiveness – it starts that way! Jesus, who you, Simon, will come to confess as the Son of the Living God, has become incarnate specifically to bring that news to all of us. 

Even after 2000 years of absorbing Christian notions and teaching about equality, justice, outreach, and compassion, Jesus’ proclamation of the Creator’s kingdom still startles us. Everything is different in Gods reign, where mercy has taken the place of holiness

In spite of Peter’s sinfulness, almost because of the disreputable, dubious, shameful condition of people, that is who Jesus wants to be with. That is who he moves and chats and laughs and dines with. Rather than spending time with the devout, the holy and the respectable, that is the norm throughout Jesus ministry.

We can imagine Jesus’ message spreading excitedly through communities of ordinary, frail, sinful folk and its frequent rejection by “holier than thou” types, made of “the right stuff.” Still is. The latter are affronted by the concept that their assiduous ticking of boxes isn’t important. God loves even (maybe especially) and unconditionally the sinful unwashed.

How is that? Well the truly holy don’t know they are holy. They just do what Jesus asks them to do. Love everyone as Jesus tells them to love. And hope and trust in God. The truly holy are immersed as Jesus was, and as Simon Peter became, among all God’s people as reassuring and living examples that, yes – He loves you and wants you now – exactly as you are.  

Deacon Mark Kelly