Natural Consequences

Gospel: Mark 12: 1-12

The parable of the tenant farmers is not so much a prophecy as it is a lesson on natural consequences.  The parable itself notes the many times in the history of Israel where this pattern of rejecting messengers from God led to ruin for the people.  It did not take a seer to recognize this same pattern taking place in the drama surrounding Jesus' own impending death that will result from collusion between religious leaders and worldly power.  

What is striking about the parable is the utter indifference Jesus has to all these political machinations against him and in this general dynamic that repeats itself again and again in human history.  There is no attempt at involving oneself in politics or relying on the strong man to save oneself from this dynamic.  Religion comes to its own ruin whenever it does so, and the stark decline in religion of our own time is warning for us that once again this pattern has once again emerged.

How often do we put Jesus to death in the person of other people! The person on death row; the immigrant and refugee we continually malign and shun; the poor we neglect and abuse; the ones different than we are.  How often does religion seek refuge in political power, in the strong man who uses religion for his own power.  How often does all this lead again to religion's decline! The way of Jesus is so different from our own.  The authentic disciple seeks that path, for it alone is the path to glory.