Judgement and Sodom

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today offer two dialogues between people and God. The angels of God in the Book of Genesis head out for Sodom. The text indicates that God is responding to an outcry about the life style of the residents. The dialogue which is presented between God and Abraham suggests that the mission from the Divine is about establishing an understanding of justice and right relationship with the Divine. The test of Abraham unfolds as he apparently pleas for the lives of the just in Sodom. The destruction of Sodom is the justice which meets the need of humanity for sanctions against life stealing action as well as presenting mercy and invitation to approach the Divine for intimate revelation of the mystery of life. The psalmist praises the mercy and forgiveness of God. The steadfast love of God is present to those who understand their need to be forgiven as other concerns block the development of intimacy with the Divine. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the key decision of being a disciple of Jesus. The choice for an intimate relationship with Jesus is the most important decision. It comes before all other choices.