Deep Love

Proper 6, Year C
 
I Kings 21:1-21      or      2 Samuel 11:26-12:15
Psalm 5:1-8            or      Psalm 32
Galatians 2:15-21                                               
Luke 7:36-8:3    

We live in a face-paced society that often leaves our time and space filled with many things, all of which we only experience briefly and at a very shallow level, like a flat stone skipping over the surface of the water.  Scurrying from one thing to the next, the depth of our lives and our understanding of life itself is replaced by an illusion of fulfillment or accomplishment.  We never grasp the implications of our thoughts, words, and deeds on the underlying fabric of life, relying instead on valuing the worth of things and moments in time in terms of their surface value.
 
Nathan tried to enlighten King David, whose understanding of the true depths of life were being diluted by his power and delusions (2 Samuel 11).  David committed a foul act, for which he had little awareness of its implications. 
 
Nathan told David that there was once a rich man who stole a lamb from a poor man, and prepared it for a guest who had traveled to visit the rich man.  The rich man did not want to take a lamb from his own herd, so he took it from the poor man.  In terms of the law, the rich man forcibly transferred the value of the lamb from the poor man to himself.  If it went to court, the rich man should be expected to at least reimburse the poor man for the value of the lamb.  Perhaps there would also be a monetary fine and a lecture, but then things would be settled.  The rest of us, in our busy lives, might agree that the test of "eye for an eye" was met.
 
In reality, however, much more damage had been done that was overlooked.  Consider the real worth of the lamb to the poor man, most of which is impossible to put a price on: there was an intense bond between this lamb and the family: "It grew up with the man and his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him."  No amount of money can replace this type of loss. 
 
The lamb's owner experienced and understood the love that flows between God and His children and creatures.  The awareness of this connection and the great value of a life together was rooted in the depth of his soul, which could only be reached through reflection, present moment awareness, and a willingness to understand.  This lamb was extremely precious to the poor man – but was just meat to the rich man.  The rich man was shallow, and was blind to the true nature of things.
 
Upon hearing the story, King David's eyes were opened and he began to understand the depth of the situation.  He began to actually feel the pain of the poor man, and declared that the rich man deserved to die.  When Nathan explained that David's offense was like that of the rich man, David finally experienced the true consequences of his actions.  He felt the pain that he inflicted on someone else.
 
A sharp word spoken years ago continues to cut in later years.  A child whipped by a parent's leather belt carries the scars for decades.  A friend's betrayal burns in the memory relentlessly.  When will we understand the full implications of our thoughts, words, and deeds?
 
In Luke 7 we see yet another example of someone who lived only at a shallow surface level of understanding.  The Pharisee Simon had invited Jesus to dine with him, thinking that Jesus was a great prophet.  It would enhance Simon's prestige to have dined with Jesus.
 
A woman showed up who ministered to Jesus.  She was a known "sinner," considered an outsider for some offense she committed.  Simon the Pharisee became disappointed that Jesus didn't recognize her for what she was, but instead permitted her to remain and minister to him.  The law was clear to Simon – this woman should not be here, nor should people of respect have anything to do with her – apparently Jesus was no prophet after all.
 
But Jesus actually saw this woman much better than did Simon.  Jesus saw this woman for who she really was – someone who understood the depth of life and the full implications of her actions, like King David.  Now she was looking for forgiveness at this very deep level, from the only person who could deeply forgive.  She knew that Jesus' love worked the same way; it could go anywhere that evil was present, anywhere there was hurt and pain, and meet it head on to heal it.
 
Jesus asked Simon, "Do you really see this woman?"
 
People who can see deeply into life have a unique gift of sensitivity, like Nathan and Jesus; they can see and understand the true implications of a misplaced thought, word, or deed.  They know how much hurt and pain occurs that cannot be compensated for in a court of law.  And because of this, they are more careful about what they think, do or say, because they do not want to inflict this deeper pain on anyone or anything – because they love.