Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Luke 13:2-5
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Eighteen under a tower
People told Jesus about Galileans whom Pilate had had killed while they were offering sacrifices. Jesus himself names another disaster: a tower at Siloam fell on eighteen people. Violence by a ruler, and an accident. Outside Luke we know nothing of either.
Twice he says: they were no worse than others. Then he turns the question round. Not: why them? But: where do you stand? He doesn't comfort and he doesn't explain. That is hard. But this way a disaster doesn't become a story about other people. It becomes a question to you.
Question for today
What question does today's news put to me?
Prayer
Lord, when I hear about disasters, I want an explanation. You ask me to look at my own heart. Help me to feel with others without judging. Amen.
My prayer
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