In 2019 I had an opportunity to study the synoptic gospels at Trinity College in Evansville IN. One assignment had us read Eric Barreto’s article, “A Gospel on the Move: Practice, Proclamation, and Place in Luke-Acts.” Unfortunately I can’t re-post his article here, but want to share some thoughts about it. Here’s my response from that time:

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The problem of immigration is a difficult one, and too often we may see the radical teaching and actions of Jesus and say to ourselves, “well, it wouldn’t really apply in this situation.”  We have become numb to how good the good news is, and how wide and how inclusive is the net that is cast by the gospel.  Barreto’s article forces us to look at the message of Jesus and consider how he might behave were he in our shoes.  Using the movement of the good news of Christianity within the context of Luke and Acts, the author examines the role of meals, the various contexts of proclamation, and the places where the gospel is delivered as a means to disrupt our complacency about the functional love of God in our world. 

I was intrigued at Barreto’s view of the word “sinners” which has almost become a fashionable method of referring to oneself in contemporary Christianity as in, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.”  But in Jesus’ time, sinner was a derogatory term of identity for the truly outcast.  While we take on “sinner saved by grace” as a badge of honor or even an identity statement as a Christian, this was not the sense of the word for Luke.  This person for Luke is a person that we wouldn’t want anything to do with, that we would view as an outcast, and that we certainly would not want to have a meal with.  But again and again in Luke, we see Jesus eating with exactly the person we would not eat with.  There is a transference of acceptance and belonging that happens at this abundant table with Jesus.

Wherever Jesus goes, whoever he encounters, any place he finds himself is fertile ground for the spreading of the seed of love and belonging.  Eating together becomes a place of connection, to be known and received at this abundant and accepting table with Jesus. We see that this is the most natural thing, as evidenced when the two friends on the road to Emmaus invite Jesus into have a meal with them.  They recognize him at last, when he does what he always did, breaking bread with them and welcoming them to his table. 

When we come to the issue of immigration and our current affairs, the article does not necessarily recommend a specific program for resolution.  Rather Barreto calls us to consider the profound availability and inclusiveness of Jesus’ love for all people, regardless of social class, economic means, ethnicity, citizenship or status.  Again, it is easy for us to say this, that we agree that the gospel is for all, but the truth will be seen in the way we put our love into action, and who we truly consider to be our neighbor as we welcome refugees and immigrants. 

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If you’ve made it this far and want to read the article, I can share it one on one. Just contact me at cspicka at gmail dot com.