Merely Servants

Gospel: Luke 17: 7-10

In the world of institutional religion it is rather common to find people seeking honors and positions of influence and esteem, both in realms ecclesiastical and secular.  Regardless of theological or political persuasion, this jockeying for position is regular fare in organized religion.  And yet time and again in the Gospels Jesus repeatedly urges us to a life of humility in undertaking the work of mercy and loving kindness to others in the world.

In today's Gospel portion Jesus gives us an analogy where every Christian is a servant of equal rank in the house of a master.  Each is given a task in the kingdom, and like servants it is our mere duty to carry out these tasks.  There is no seeking of accolades or special recognition.  We are not to expect anything other than a place in the master's house.  That we are serving our master is reward enough for the faithful servant.  

As this parable suggests, the seeking of honors and status is a folly of the ego.  There is only one master; everyone else is a servant - both are fixed and immutable statuses.  Servants may create special ranks among themselves, but at the end of the day they are but servants.  We cannot be anything else.  The question is whether we accept our duty of serving others in a life of mercy and care, or whether we will pursue illusory vanities.  

God's Dwelling

Gospel: John 2: 13-22

We love to have feasts that celebrate the buildings built by human hands where we claim God dwells on earth.  Meanwhile countless church buildings close each year and people lament the loss of these buildings as the decline of religion and the loss of God's presence on earth and in the minds of human beings.  Yet the barbarity of the human race seems unaffected by the number of church buildings present on earth; it seems a relative constant throughout history.

If we had as much concern over the temple God made as his dwelling on earth as we do for these buildings we might be accomplishing something in religion.  God created each human being as a temple of divine dwelling.  God has no use for buildings of stone and wood, inanimate objects lacking a divine spark.  Our attention to such buildings does little to advance God's presence and kingdom in the world.  But care for God's presence in others does indeed honor God and advance the kingdom.

Ornate church buildings are beautiful objects.  They represent human achievement and artistry.  But they are human creations, and to focus on such things is to focus not on God but on our own egos.  When we recognize the temple God created - each human person - we truly honor God and not ourselves.  The Good Samaritan offered true temple worship in caring for another, not the priest and Levite who thought temple worship to be of greater importance.  Let us go and do likewise.   

Finding Wisdom

Gospel: Matthew 25: 1-13

The parable of the ten virgins tempts us to see life as a singular decision of eschatological import, and while there is a fundamental option that orients us to wisdom, in reality life is a series of continual decisions that lead us to wisdom.  The import of the lesson in the parable is thereby enhanced, not diminished, if we see the story not as a single event but as a daily experience that requires our discernment and meditation.

At first glance the wise versions seem cold and uncaring to the plight of the foolish versions.  They do not share their oil with them.  Their wisdom recognizes the fact that they cannot help the foolish virgins.  Doing so would lead to the doom of them all.  The wise virgins have empathy and do care about the others, but all they can do is provide a sympathetic presence and hope that the foolish virgins may obtain the required oil in time.  

Today's parable is an invitation for us to reflect and discern each day in determining when and where we can help others, and where we are unable.  In both cases we are to have care and empathy for others in their need, even if they be foolish.  We are to have continual hope that all people may find wisdom, helping where we can in the acquisition of wisdom.  Today's parable is not a singular decision, but one we make each day.