Nov 20, 2023 |
A Rule of Life
| The Rev. Melanie W. J. Slane
A Rule of Life
You all may have heard this story from Jesus described as
an economy of virtues. I've heard it that way in the past. God gives us each a
spiritual gift some people are special, so they get more gifts, a very
convenient translation for all the high achievers in the room. Anyway, everyone
gets something and don't worry, God won't give you more than you can handle.
But, just like late-stage capitalism, this story doesn't check out. God wants a good return on his investment? Better read up on those self-improvement manuals because Jesus is coming, so you better look busy.
The end of that story is some idealized version of Streets of Gold and Gates of Pearl, where all the people who annoyed you here on Earth are far away, and you can just sit alone in a big white room, eating bonbons, while angels circle round and sing Latin renditions of Toby Keith songs.
The moral of that story is, use the gifts that God has given you, so you can get that divine pat on the back and hear the words we all long to hear, well done, good and faithful servant.
Today I'd like to look at this Gospel lesson from a different perspective. I'd like to ask, what if? What if this passage is less about getting what you deserve, and more about an impending and uncalendared eschaton that begs us to examine our lives and ask the question, if Jesus stood before me today, would I be ready to give an account for the hope that is within me?
But, just like late-stage capitalism, this story doesn't check out. God wants a good return on his investment? Better read up on those self-improvement manuals because Jesus is coming, so you better look busy.
The end of that story is some idealized version of Streets of Gold and Gates of Pearl, where all the people who annoyed you here on Earth are far away, and you can just sit alone in a big white room, eating bonbons, while angels circle round and sing Latin renditions of Toby Keith songs.
The moral of that story is, use the gifts that God has given you, so you can get that divine pat on the back and hear the words we all long to hear, well done, good and faithful servant.
Today I'd like to look at this Gospel lesson from a different perspective. I'd like to ask, what if? What if this passage is less about getting what you deserve, and more about an impending and uncalendared eschaton that begs us to examine our lives and ask the question, if Jesus stood before me today, would I be ready to give an account for the hope that is within me?
