Luke 16: 1 – 9 The Wily Manager

Luke 16: 1 – 9 The Wily Manager

Then he also said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors 3 of wheat.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. 5 "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

This in another scripture that for me comes out of left field. The manager is about to have to make an accounting to his owner for “squandering his property”, that is, wasting it or using it unwisely. What does he do? He further dissipates it, marking down what is owed to ingratiate himself to the ones who owe it. What happens? The owner gives him credit for his enterprise! Here he has defrauded his owner and the owner not only accepts it but in a way admires it. Like unto like apparently – or it takes one to know one as my grandmother would say. I’m not sure of the larger point. Any ideas??? Also who are the children of this world vs. the children of light?

Luke 15: 11 - 32 The Prodigal Son, continued

Luke 15: 11 - 32 The Prodigal Son, continued

Previously I called this "The Tale of Two Sons" But what about the Father? He is also a prominent character in the story. Acting with generosity, patience, and mercy toward his sons, the obvious comparison would be to God our Father. Patient with us in our stubbornness, our wrongheadedness, generous with us when we seek forgiveness, steadfast and reassuring in the face of our doubts, our pettiness. Henri Nouwen in his beautiful book "The Prodigal Son" meditates on this scripture and the famous painting of it done by Rembrandt. (I highly recommend this book!) He came to the conclusion that it is the Father who we should be trying to identify with - not the misguided younger son, not the underappreciated older son, but the generous, patient, merciful Father. That is who God wants us to grow up to be, seeking forgiveness for our youthful mistakes, relinquishing our possessiveness, our "zero sum" mentality, to grow into a person of generosity, of mercy, of patience toward those around us. Amen.

Luke 15: 11-32 The Prodigal Son, Part I

Luke 15: 11-32 The Prodigal Son, Part I

Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'" Following on the heels of the previous scripture Jesus gives another example of the boundless mercy of God and the rejoicing in heaven over the repentance of one sinner. This is a tale of two sons: The youngest son, after demanding his share of his Father’s inheritance goes off to a distant land and squanders his wealth on dissolute living. Falling upon hard times, he eventually returns home seeking his Father’s mercy. Is the Father “our Father”? Are we the youngest son and sinner? The older son has stayed at home al this time working, submissive to his Father and never asking for a thing. You might think the older son would be secure in both his Father’s love and his position on the estate. His words and actions reveal that this is anything but the case. Are we the older son, Jealous of our God’s love and his generosity toward others? In the past I have looked at this parable through my “fairness” lens. The youngest son got his “fair share” already. He should not get anything more – that would be fair and just. I deal in measureable units, in shares and fairness. God deals in immeasurable generosity, in abundance and in truly divine mercy. That is my first observation.

Luke 15: 1 -1 10 The Parable of Divine Mercy

Luke 15: 1 -1 10 The Parable of Divine Mercy

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Jesus tells his listeners how much rejoicing among the angels there will be over the repentance of one sinner. He is speaking to the Scribes and the Pharisees who are commenting to themselves about Jesus’ choice to eat among sinners and tax collectors. His message is one of hope to the sinners of the crowd and one of rebuke to those of power and influence. In both examples someone – the shepherd, the woman – loses something of value – a sheep, a silver coin - and works diligently to recover it. Apparently the revelation that something of value has been lost is necessary to make this connection. It is a loss or lack that the sinners and tax collectors seem to have grasped. The Scribes and the Pharisees, on the other hand, cluelessly see nothing missing or lacking in themselves. They are busy judging others and congratulating themselves on (what they think is) their better position. In order for mercy to be extended, it must first be sought out.

Luke 14:25-35 Counting Up The Cost

Luke 14:25-35 Counting Up The Cost

Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, "If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple. "Salt is good, but if salt itself loses its taste, with what can its flavor be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear." At that time some Pharisees came to him and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. (But) I tell you, you will not see me until (the time comes when) you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

This scripture is confusing to me. First Jesus seems to be saying anyone who wants to follow him must do so wholeheartedly. He gives the example of turning ones back on one’s parents, spouse, children. My whole being cries out against this. I would find it difficult to turn away from those I hold most dear, who depend upon me, and on whom I rely. It seems needlessly harsh, a lonely solitary undertaking, and a costly one. Following this are several examples of setting out to complete a task - a man building a tower and a king going off to war. Jesus advises that before committing yourself, you will do well to count up the cost, calculating risks in a clear- eyed practical manner very much in contrast to the painful, wrenching, leave-taking at the beginning of this passage. Perhaps Jesus is saying we must do both: realizing in a clear-eyed way that following Christ may in fact be very costly and sometimes painful. If we choose Christ, choose to be his salt to the earth, it should be a thoughtful, considered choosing, since it may in fact cost us dearly. Jesus foreshadows leaving his own loved ones behind. I think he is already grieving their loss. His grief leaves little softness about him, few words of comfort for those who would follow him as he faces his final days on earth.