Reflection on Sundays readings

Both our Gospel passage and the first reading for this Sunday refer to the image of keys. For some, keys are a symbol of power and control; they decide who will be let in and when the proper time is. Keys can be a sign of how inclusive and welcoming a family or institution are. In our first reading, a key opens and shuts. In our Gospel, keys are an image of binding and loosing. The community that Jesus established was one marked by inclusion and loosing. As we reflect on Jesus’ interactions with any number of people, we quickly realize that He welcomed anyone who wanted to know more about Him and His ministry. On behalf of those He was helping, He even went to the homes of people who tended to oppose Him and His actions. One main purpose of Jesus’ mission was to loose people of their burdens, particularly issues such as a distorted image of God, shame, guilt, dishonor, and many other ills that drained people of the energy they needed to become the best possible version of themselves. We pray that more and more people will join in continuing this ministry in our world that has so many people bound by any number of troubling circumstances or has them shut out of what is due for every person God created.