A woman with a reputation enters Simon the Pharisee’s house. She carries no words, only her tears. Kneeling at Jesus’ feet, she pours out costly perfume—an extravagant display of love. Simon is scandalized, but Jesus sees her differently. He tells a parable of two debtors: one forgiven little, one forgiven much. “Who will love more?” Jesus asks. The answer is clear. Her love is evidence of the mercy that has already rewritten her story.
John the Baptist, once so sure of Jesus’ mission, now sits in prison and asks, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” His question is raw, honest—born of disappointment and unmet expectations. Jesus doesn’t rebuke John for doubting. Instead, He points to the evidence of transformation: the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the poor receive good news. Jesus is rewriting the story, but not in the way John expected.
Faith is often found in unexpected places. This Sunday, we’ll read from Luke about a Roman centurion—an outsider—who demonstrates remarkable trust in Jesus’ authority. Without demanding proof, he believes that Jesus’ word alone is enough to heal his servant. Jesus is astonished, declaring that this man’s faith surpasses that of Israel. Then, in an act of compassion, Jesus raises a widow’s son, restoring her future along with her child. Both stories remind us that God’s grace moves beyond human boundaries, rewriting stories of exclusion into belonging.
As I shared yesterday, Jesus called the twelve not because they were perfect, powerful, or privileged, but because they were willing to follow. In Luke 6, we see how Jesus redefines belonging—not by status, but by purpose. As followers of Jesus today, we are also chosen, not for our own sake, but to participate in God’s mission of love and justice. Here are five ways we can respond to God’s call…
“Jesus did not call isolated individuals to follow him. He formed a community, a movement, a new way of being human together.” – Diana Butler Bass This Sunday, we’ll read Luke 6:1-16 when Jesus calls twelve disciples to follow him, an act that marks a turning point in his ministry.