Religious arrogance can easily be camouflaged as zeal for God's truth. Deep religious commitment can avoid intolerance when it allows itself to be vulnerable. Today's gospel about hen-love stands in contrast to any attempt to absolutize religious beliefs and practices. Jesus doesn't draw us to him but points us instead beyond himself to God. Even in the face of foxes, he isn't concerned with himself, but focused on God's work.
Religious faith drives some to intolerance.
But it drives Jesus to sacrifice. Jerusalem may stone its prophets, but God reaches out again and again in love and openness. God's hen-like love is tolerant in the face of intolerance. Religious commitment can run deep and still avoid intolerance when love and vulnerability are at its center, as Jesus knew so very well. Sisters and brothers in Christ, for us deep faith isn't so much a matter of what we believe as in whom we believe.