The Marginal

 

I noticed this snowman this morning shrunken and aged by the recent above freezing days. His scarf now a hood and shawl. Off by himself, forgotten.
I've been reflecting on Luke's account of Jesus' first sermon (4:16-21.) He sets the tone for his ministry with a quote from Isaiah that begins: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor."
In a comment the New Interpreter's Study Bible says, "Within Luke's world, 'the poor' are understood best as 'the marginal,' as those excluded from social and religious intercourse because of any number or combination of factors, such as those related to gender, age, economic destitution, physical malady, or religious impurity." Jesus devoted himself to them throughout his ministry.
I think of all those we push to the edge of our society because of illness or age or poverty or sexual orientation or race or ethnic background. Good news! you can't take communion with us! Good news! you can't stay in our country! Good news! you are not welcome in our gathering!