A Mustard Seed of Faith Can Transform This World
Leading up to our Gospel today, Jesus has a long series of parables and sayings that are rather difficult. We have heard several of them over the past few weeks, like the parable of the dishonest manager, and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. The lectionary has also skipped a bunch to move us along: the saying about the millstone, the huge number of times we are to forgive somebody, adultery, justification. All of these are very challenging sayings and stories. In this section, which is about two or two and a half chapters long, it is pretty much just Jesus talking. The disciples can’t get a word in edgewise.
There is Great Gain in Godliness Combined with Contentment
A Parable about Relationships
Parables: Painting an Image of God
We have a God who has always leaned heavily towards mercy. There is a great repeating phrase in the Torah that says that God will punish to the third or fourth generation, which is really extreme. If you make a mistake God will punish your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren, and your great-great grandchildren. But that was actually standard fare for the day for what a leader was going to do. But then God goes on to say that I will offer mercy to the thousandth generation, which swamps the third or fourth generations through this great act of love.
Wisdom
There is a wisdom theme going on today. In the Gospel, Jesus gives us some down-home, practical advice: If you’re invited to a big banquet and arrive a little early, don’t go and sit in one of the seats of honor, because when the guest of honor arrives he may say to you, “Fred, I’m actually saving that seat for someone else. Would you mind going to sit over there?” Then you are embarrassed and annoyed, the honored guest is probably a little embarrassed also, your friends are embarrassed for you and avert their eyes so they don’t have to look at you as you toddle on down. No, when you’re early at the banquet, sit in the modest seat first, and then perhaps the honored guest will say, “Fred, come here. I’ve saved this seat just for you.” Not bad advice.
Incarcerated People Are Not Vermin
I am part of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon a group of churches cooperating together to seek, among other things, justice in our criminal justice system. As part of this effort I was asked to help put together a “Criminal Justice Sabbath” which would try to raise awareness and gain support at the congregational level. I’ve been involved in various kinds of jail ministry for about seven years, so I’m grateful for this chance to reflect on that experience.
