(A meditation for Ash Wednesday)

It’s an old story, but it bears repeating. An armed robber accosted a French priest on a dark, back street in Paris and demanded his wallet. As the priest opened his coat to reach for his wallet, the thief caught sight of his clerical collar and immediately apologized. “Never mind, Father,” he said. “I didn’t realize you were a priest. I’ll be on my way.”

The priest was relieved, of course, and good-naturedly offered the man a cigar. “No, thank you, Father,” the robber said, “I gave up smoking for Lent.” Interesting. He gave up smoking for Lent, but not relieving innocent people of their wallets.

Jesus loves all the people in the world. That’s an integral part of our faith. But that doesn’t mean he liked everybody. For example, it’s obvious that one grou…