A Tale of Two Tables

Gospel: Matthew 21: 28-32

A man had two sons.  Both sinned, but one regretted it and changed his behavior, doing what was required.  The other son did not.  Jesus ate with two different sets of people: tax collectors and prostitutes at one table, and scribes and Pharisees at the other.  Both sets of people were sinners, but one group regretted their sins and worked to live otherwise, while the other group did not as they saw themselves as sinless.  They talked about being faithful, but their actions, or lack of actions, said otherwise.

Notice the conversation at each table.  At the one, the tax collectors and prostitutes are talking with Jesus and listening.  There is authentic encounter, an opportunity for transformation.  At the other table, the Pharisees and scribes are talking to Jesus and talking about the sins of others.  Here there is no real encounter, no opportunity for transformation.  At that table there is only room for oneself, everyone else being unworthy to be in our presence, even the Lord Jesus.

How similar we are to the Scribes and Pharisees!  How often do we speak of faith but do not practice it.  How often do we speak of the sins of others, excluding others from the table, but do not see our own sin.  Regardless of our theological and liturgical bent the Lord's table more often is that of the Pharisee and Scribe, that of the son who did not do his Father's will, than we care to admit.  May today be our prayer of the Publican - Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. 

What Must Happen

Gospel: Luke 9: 43-45

It is relatively early in the public ministry of Jesus.  In the eyes of the disciples everything is going very well.  Jesus and his followers have been going from town to town healing people, feeding them at table, freeing them from their demons.  Large crowds are following them wherever they go.  Surely Jesus is the Messiah.  In no time at all Israel will be restored and they will be in power in the restored kingdom.  How could it be otherwise?

But Jesus continually tells them that he will be handed over to the authorities and be executed?  How could this be true? Sure, here and there they have had disputes with Pharisees and other religious authorities, but look at all the good that is being done!  Look at the crowds and how popular Jesus is with them!  Surely the religious and political leaders see the good, see the popularity.  They would not dare execute Jesus!

Yet, Jesus will be right.  The authorities will indeed arrest him and execute him.  Jesus realized what should be obvious to us all by now: those in authority do not care about the good done for people or popularity based on this good.  They care only about their own power, privilege, and influence.  Jesus' good deeds and popularity threatened those things.  So Jesus must die.  We struggle to accept it, but this is the way of the world, the way of the cross, the way to the empty tomb. 

Looking for Answers

Gospel: Luke 9: 18-22

Yesterday's Gospel portion saw Herod musing about Jesus.  Today Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about him.  They reply with the same answers Herod had in his musings - John the Baptist, Elijah, an ancient prophet.  These are the answers from the palace - our mental palaces or ideological ones.  Now Jesus asks his disciples what they think - who do you say I am?  Peter gives the reply:  You are the Messiah, the Son of God.

This answer is fraught with danger and Jesus warns them to tell these answers to no one.  The title Messiah will lead to trouble with the religious leaders of the day, prompting them to seek the death of Jesus.  The title Son of God is a virtual death sentence from the Roman authorities who see in that title a direct challenge to the authority of the emperor.  For this reason Jesus tells his disciples that he must suffer and be put to death.

This answer proved a challenge for Luke's audience who lived in a time when they were being expelled from synagogues and threatened by Roman authorities.  If we take these titles seriously we will find trouble from religious and political leaders who have their own Messiah complexes and claims to absolute authority in the world.  For the way of the Messiah is one of service and mercy to others, not domination and control over people.