Category: Michael D
Matthew 20:1-16
Each week my companion and I write brief exegetical and commentary notes for the Lectionary readings. We developed this resource as a way to help persons that are crafting the children’s sermon (moment) each week for worship in a Christian setting. We call it, Sacred Steps: Children’s Sermon Journal. I’ve decided to post a paragraph on Friday afternoons for one of the readings. The gospel lesson for Sept. 18 is Matthew 20:1-16. Here is a paragraph from the journal.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Is your eye evil because I am good?’(Matthew 20:15)
Last week, a king (Lord) demonstrated a generosity that had consequences, namely, the presumed “go and do likewise”, and if you (the forgiven) don’t do likewise, I’ll know about it. That generosity had to do with forgiveness of debts, but it can also be applied to relationships beyond financial agreements. This week, we turn to an overt discussion of “fairness” that did not get touched upon last week. Namely, was it fair for the king to treat the debtor so harshly for not “doing likewise”, since there was no requirement or expectation to do so? I was talking with a group of high school youth and their adults about this text last Sunday, over breakfast. Everyone there agreed that the assumption is the servant would forgive based on his experience of being forgiven. “Shouldn’t you just act that way after someone has been so nice to you?” was the common response. When translated into their own experience, none of them could admit to “doing likewise”. This week the parable seems to have a clear(er) message about the kindom of God; and like last week, it, too, includes a zinger. Do you have a favorite Jesus “zinger” or parable that you return to often?
So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from the heart. (Matthew 18:35)
So, the last will be first, and the first will be last. (Matthew 20:16)
In Memoriam
Silence. My silence and bended knee are my only appropriate response for the dead of the terror attacks that happened here, have happened for decades in other parts of the world, and are happening today. As you pause to remember the many that died on the day of the attacks, Sept. 11, 2001 and their families, here are some others I will be holding in my meditations and my silence.
– The families of the 1% that are fighting America’s wars and the deployed loved ones;
– The thousands maimed, injured, and dead from “Shock & Awe”, “Enduring Freedom,” surge activities, and drone attacks;
– The leaders, military and civilian, that are making decisions on good and bad intel and advice;
– The first responders that ran into buildings or calmly helped people out of the towers and never made it home;
– Those that cleared debris, lived to tell the story, and have become collateral damage;
– Dick Chaney and others that believe that “might makes right” and that Americans deserve more privilege than other members of the planet because we are Americans, or because of skin color, language, wealth, or by what name you call God;
– My own apathy to challenge the institutions and leaders that are fear profiteers, that legislate discrimination, or prefer segregation to the melting pot that made the greatest generation, great.
God sees,
I see you averting your glances.
I see you cheering on the war.
I see you ignoring your children,
And I love you still.
And I love you still.
I see you altering history.
I see you abusing the land.
I see you, your selective amnesia,
I love you still.
And I love you still.(1)
May God bless everyone with vision to see past grief and greed, race and class, and individual gain at the expense of the common good.
Note
1. Alanis Morissette, Still, 1999.