Today's Gospel lesson ends with Luke telling us "soon afterwards Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God." This good news is why some people along the Pride parade route last weekend were ecstatic over seeing Bishop Chane, who without saying one word, by his presence said, "I am just like you-we are all in the same boat-Jesus forgives us all and loves us all". His presence alone served as an icon of reconciliation, invitation, and extravagant welcome, starting with those who have been taught that they least of all deserve to hear good news, much less from God.

Love of our neighbor begins with forgiveness - our forgiveness of them, and our availability to be forgiven. And our limited vision of love is rooted in our resistance to beng forgiven. Like Simon in today's Gospel, this, means admitting that being religious will never get us to God, but that God has already come to us with the extravagance of divine forgiveness, whether we need to be forgiven 50 or 500 things.

Last weekend, St. Thomas' reflected today's Gospel in our activities of Pride Weekend. Knowing we have been, and need to be, forgiven much, we were freed to offer radical hospitality to others. We got to be the church, outing ourselves as Christians, by sharing our gifts with other parishes and those reaching out for affirmation on the parade route; we welcomed the stranger to our table and to what has been named on the street, the Moonie-wedding! When judgment is absent, joy flourishes...and the sweet sweet Spirit of God reigns. May we continue to risk living the Good News that, where much is forgiven, we are freed to love much more. For in such moments, as Paul wrote to the new church in Galatia, it is not we who live, but Christ who comes to life in us.