A DIFFERENCE

I had my keys in my hand, but I didn't leave.  We just happened to attend our Byzantine Church today: Final Judgement Sunday.  This is the gospel of the goats and the sheep.

For years now, I have taken exception with several priests, who have insisted on characterizing goats as stubborn, mischievous, and evil.  These clerics seem to fall into this error, as they try to entertain as they unpack Christ's parable of the final judgement.  Matthew 26: 32, 33  "And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left."  Christ goes on to clarify the difference between His followers and  those who do not reach out to our neighbor in need.  Afterwards, Christ continues to those on the left, "Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."  Matt. 26:42

My complaint, is that Christ's point is simply, that there is a difference: a difference between a goat and a sheep, as there is a difference between a dog and a cat, and as there is a difference between someone who lives for Christ, and someone who does not.  That's it: a DIFFERENCE!

I take offense, because I love goats.  They are made by God.  With each negative quality this priest painted on goats, I became more irritated.  But then, when he mentioned how well-behaved sheep are,  I grabbed my keys.

The urban view of goats just naturally makes an easy target for a homily on unacceptable behavior, which is bound to land someone in hell.  I was ready to get-up and leave, when I recalled another quote from Christ, "Forgive them, they know not what they do".   I just wish they would stop!