Jesus calls us to a strategy of downward mobility in a society that promotes unbridled upward mobility. Upward mobility is, at best, ambiguous, especially since the drive for success is a drive to leave others behind, to escape not only poverty, but the poor. Upward mobility has turned cancerous, resulting in a state that cannot provide for the common good.
Jesus' message is that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It is a call to create a loving society. Contemporary Christianity's overwhelming focus on individual salvation is a corruption of Jesus' message.
The preferential option for the poor is God's preferential option for the sinner. By choosing to walk with sinners before they ask for forgiveness, Jesus entirely rejects the notion of earning or meriting God's love.
John Predmore, S.J., is a USA East Province Jesuit and was the pastor of Jordan's English language parish. He teaches art and directs BC High's adult spiritual formation programs. Formerly a retreat director in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ignatian Spirituality is given through guided meditations, weekend-, 8-day, and 30-day Retreats based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatian Spirituality serves the contemporary world as people strive to develop a friendship with God.
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