October 20-A, 2022

Jesus was good for, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
"Love your enemy."
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

And, we think, "Okay. Got it."

Jesus was also good for, "Don't throw your pearls before swine,
or give dogs what is holy."

And, we think, "So, we don't love swine and dogs, right?"

Then Jesus tells the parable about the wise and foolish bridesmaids, where the foolish bridesmaids run out of oil
for their lamps, and the wise bridesmaids say, "We didn't take you to raise. You are responsible for yourselves! Go buy your own oil, we aren't sharing ours!"

And, we think, "So foolish people can be written off, right?"

And, it's hard to see how we are better off
for the directives Jesus hands out,
with one contradicting another, 
not knowing what to do.

Then, Jesus clarifies all of the confusion 
by asking, "Why don't you decide for yourselves
what is right?" And walks off into Galilee.

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