This week we begin Eastertide and a new Worship series titled The Grace of Les Misérables, based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle.
This opening week of the series, we focus on the main character: Jean Valjean. The opening of the story and musical show that Valjean has landed in prison, a sentence he finds wildly unjust. He has clearly become disillusioned with authority and police figures, and finds continued difficulty attempting to live life as an ex-con.
In a surprise moment, Valjean is shown extraordinary and undeserved grace. In that moment, he understands that he faces a critical inflection point in his life. As the story progresses, he finds himself continuing to face decisions about whether or not he will continue to reflect the grace shown to him at this one moment.
Luke 6:32-38 (CEB)
32 “If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. 36 Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
37 “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.”
- What questions does Valjean’s experience raise about the nature of justice? About compassion? How does his experience shape his outlook on the world?
- Valjean initially responds to an offer of hospitality with dishonesty. Why do you think he would do so? When he finds even further grace offered, his is shaken. What do you think his emotional response is? What do you think his spiritual response is?
- Valjean changes his life at this point. How does he make this change possible? Can he remain entirely honest (we might say “perfect”) in the life he builds? Why or why not?