Parables in Pentecost: The Talents

 This week we look at a familiar parable that has been interpreted in many ways. A rich man goes on a trip after entrusting three servants with huge sums of money. When he returns, he rewards them as they deserve. Is this a parable about how we use the gifts (talents) God gives us, or about how to use money wisely, or about the reward we get for doing good? Maybe it’s about something else entirely.

Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is like God entrusting his servants with unimaginable wealth. Sometimes we deal honestly with that gift, and sometimes we don’t. The story is found in both the Gospel of Matthew and Luke with slight variations. One of these is that Matthew has the master give 5 and 2 and 1 talent to his three servants. Luke ups the stewardship amount to 1 pound to each of 10 servants. We only hear about three of their results. One made 10 pounds, the second 5 pounds and the last buried his money. You may want to read both versions for comparison. 

Scripture

14 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” ²¹His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” ²²And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” ²³His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” ²⁴Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” ²⁶But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. ²⁹For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:14-30) also Luke 19:12-27

Conversation starters

In the Matthew version of the parable the three servants get talents. A talent is an ancient weight measure of precious metals like gold and silver. It is believed to be about 75 pounds of metal. There is mention of the use of 29 talents of gold for the tabernacle built during the Exodus (Exodus 38:24). That is over a ton of gold for the tabernacle!

By the First Century a talent was equal to 6000 denarii, the Roman currency. It is hard to determine the exact modern equivalent. Scholars estimate a talent would be worth somewhere between $1000 and $30,000 today. Others think it could be worth even more. The point is that the master gave his servants an unthinkable amount of money to steward while he was gone.

This parable is often used during church stewardship drives to encourage giving. It can also be used to suggest that we all have physical talents and gifts that we can use for good and for God’s kingdom.

If we think outside the box of these usual interpretations, what might this parable teach us about God’s extravagance and our response to that love? God’s power fills us, as the prayer by St. Paul for the Ephesians notes, [so that] you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, ¹⁷and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. ¹⁸I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)

What is your first thought about this parable?

Are their talents or monetary gifts that God has entrusted you with that you might ‘hide’?

Is God at work in us, as Paul says, the true treasure given to us? 

Action Item

The icon shows Jesus blessing the man with 10 talents and naming him "Good and Faithful Servant." Think about Paul's prayer for us to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

How does that apply to being a Good and Faithful Servant? 

I’ll be out of town next week. See you on the 20^th.

Parables in Pentecost: Lost Coin

 This parable follows the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke’s Gospel. We looked at that familiar story on August 11. The Lost Coin is not as common because it seems almost like a repeat of the Lost Sheep, except that a woman is the star of the story.

But is that all there is to it? Just as the woman is so delighted to find the lost coin that she calls her neighbors to tell them, Jesus says God rejoices over our repentance. We are a priceless treasure to God, and he rejoices over us every day.   

Scripture

‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” ¹⁰Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ (Luke 15:8-10)

The woman in this story is likely looking for one of her ten dowry coins. This represents all the wealth she had in case something happens to her husband. She would have the ten coins to live on for the rest of her life. The Greek word for coin here is drachmas. That is about a day’s wages at the time. She is looking for something worth quite a bit.

A commentator points out that there is no mention of a husband in this story, so we might wonder if, in fact, she is a widow and really needs to find the coin. Looking past the woman and her found coin, we are reminded that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Like in the parable of the Lost Sheep, we are worth so much that God will not stop seeking us out.

Conversation starters

Have you ever lost something valuable, or simply something important to you like car keys?

Imagine that what you lost was really the only thing between you and destitution. How much more would you want to find it?

Think about God’s great love that searches for you and me no matter what. How does that make you feel?

Action Item

Use the maze to find the drachma coin.

 

 

Parables in Pentecost: Wedding Banquet

 After the last three weeks of parables about working in vineyards, we switch metaphors today to a wedding banquet. This parable is found in both Matthew 22:2-14 and Luke 14:16-24. It is a little similar to last week’s parable of the Wicked Tenants because the king sends invitations to his son’s wedding and the guests all make excuses and/or beat the servants.

Scripture

‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. ³He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. ⁴Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” ⁵But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, ⁶while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. ⁷The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. ⁸Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. ⁹Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” ¹⁰Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.’ (Matthew 22:2-10)

In Luke we learn a little background. Jesus is at the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath…One of the dinner guests said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. ¹⁷At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” ¹⁸But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.”  ⁹Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” ²⁰Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” ²¹So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” ²²And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” ²³Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. ²⁴For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.” ’(Luke 14:16-24)

The Matthew version is a little more violent, in that the guests even seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them, a reference as in other parables, to the prophets who have come to Israel in the past. Jesus says that the King then tells his servants to go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled.

The servants go and bring in a crowd of people, both good and bad. There is no judging of who is worthy to come to the wedding party. EVERYONE is included, except those who rejected the invitation. The invited guests, (i.e. Jewish leadership) rejected the invitation to the banquet. We are told, the King stated, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.

 

Conversation starters

Anyone who has planned a party or other event knows how frustrating it is when people make excuses at the last minute for not coming. After all, you have planned for a certain number of people for food and seating and entertainment. Then, suddenly, you are left with all the preparations going to waste. No wonder the King wants to fill the house with any- and every-one.

In the center of the three lancet windows above the High Altar at the Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, is an image of Jesus presiding at the Last Supper. A previous bishop of the diocese once preached a sermon noting that the Table extends backward to Jesus, through us, and into the future to include everyone.

Jesus says invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet. Does it make you uncomfortable that simply anyone is allowed to come to the feast?

What does it mean to include EVERYONE at the Table?

Do you have excuses for not accepting God’s invitation to the banquet, or for thinking it’s only reserved for a certain group of people?

Action Item

Draw a table, or just a rectangle. On it write those who you expect to find around God’s banquet table.

Think about who you may not have thought of including and add them.

Parables in Pentecost: Evil Tenants

 This week’s parable is found in three Gospels (Matthew 21:33-44, Mark 12:1-11, Luke 20:9-18). The story is almost identical in all three Gospels. This would indicate that it was of deep importance to the early Christian communities.

Scripture

‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ³⁴When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. ³⁵But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. ³⁷Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” ³⁸But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” ³⁹So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ ⁴¹They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’

42 Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? ⁴³Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. ⁴⁴The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’ (Matthew 21:33-44)

Conversation starters

This is a parable of warning and retribution to the Jewish leaders of the time. There are many places in the Hebrew Scriptures that the metaphor of vineyard is applied to Israel, including Isaiah 5:7: The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. Jesus, in the parable, is confronting the Jewish leaders about their rejections of previous prophets throughout Israel’s history. Ellicott’s Commentary expands the explanation and notes, “the vineyard is "the house of Israel;" the "fence" finds its counterpart in the institutions which made Israel a separate and peculiar people; the "wine-press" (better, wine-vat--i.e. the reservoir underneath the press), in the Temple, as that into which the "wine" of devotion, and thanksgiving, and charity was to flow...”

The parable was received as good news by Jesus’ followers and later the growing Christian community. This group saw themselves as the ‘other tenants’ who receive the vineyard. Jesus’ quote that the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone is from Psalm 118:22. This Psalm is labeled as a “Song of Victory” and is still used on Jewish holidays with Psalms 113-118 as praise (hallel). Jesus uses it to refer to himself as the cornerstone of God’s Kingdom. In Acts 4:11, Peter picks up on this imagery and tells the Jewish council that Jesus is ’the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

It is easy to point our fingers at the Jewish leaders who don’t recognize Jesus as the heir and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. As the inheritors of the ‘vineyard’ perhaps we need to pause and ask if we are trying to ‘box’ God in by our definitions.Is God really on the side of one country over another, or one nationality or church community? Whenever we create walls and divisions we are trying to box God into 'our side' and God cannot be kept in a box. 

Has there ever been a time when you were resistant to change that affected the way you felt worship ‘should’ be done?

What are some ways we try to keep God under 'our' control by defining God by a certain 'box'?

Think about your faith community as a vineyard. What ‘fence’ is around the vineyard? What ‘wine’ is being pressed out?

Action Item

Draw a picture of a vineyard, or use the image in the blog. Consider what fruit your personal vineyard is producing and write it on the picture.

Read all of Psalm 118 as a praise prayer.

Parables in Pentecost: Two Sons

 This week we look at a scenario that any parent can relate to. The parable talks about two sons. One who is obedient in action, and one who just says he will do what he is told. Probably everyone who has worked with children (and adults) has faced a similar response.

This parable comes the day after Jesus cleanses the temple (Matthew 21:12-17). When he returns the following day, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ (Matthew 21:23) In response, Jesus tells this story.

Scripture

‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.: ²⁹He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. ³⁰The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. ³¹Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³²For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. (Matthew: 21:28-32)

Conversation starters

Jesus tells us the first son pouts, “I won’t go work.” He probably added something about wanting to be with his friends or play a video game. The other son, however, says he is going to do the job, but never gets to the vineyard. Meanwhile, a guilty conscience strikes the first son. He goes to the vineyard to help.

Jesus tells the chief priests and elders, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. Later in the same chapter we hear, When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. (Matthew 21:45-46)

The Theology of Work Project applies this parable to daily life and work. “The folks who look the least religious will enter God’s kingdom ahead of religious leaders, because in the end they do God’s will…this reminds us that actions speak louder than words. Many organizations have mission statements declaring that their top aims are customer service, product quality, civic integrity, putting their people first, and the like. Yet many such organizations have poor service, quality, integrity, and employee relations. Individuals may do the same thing, extolling their plans, yet failing to implement them.” Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32) | Theology of Work

 Has there ever been a time when you refused to do what someone asked you to do? Did you feel guilty later?

Have you ever said you would take on a task, or even a ministry, and not followed through? Did you feel remorse?

Why do you think the Jewish leadership found this parable offensive enough to want to arrest Jesus?

Action Item

Play something like “Simon Says” or “Mother, May I” where participants must follow directions.

Talk about who has the ‘authority’ to give directions or orders. How do we know who to obey?

What are some signs of our authority? (Diplomas, licenses, etc.)

Parables in Pentecost: Workers in the Vineyard

 I skipped last week (August 25) due to being out of town.

This week, with the celebration of Labor Day on our calendars, we are looking at the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. Jesus tells this story to illustrate God’s economy, which looks nothing at all like what we are used to in normal business dealing. Jesus tells us that it doesn’t matter how much time and effort you put into the work of the Kingdom, you will receive just as rich a reward as someone who has ‘born the heat of the day.’

“Labor Day” itself, celebrated this weekend in the US, was a response to labor riots in the late 1890’s. It was a day to recognize the laborers in the country, mostly blue-collar, union workers, and to give them a day off. The image of these vineyard workers, ca 1930s, is a reminder that farm laborers are still needed, despite machinery that has taken many of the blue-collar jobs. This has impacted the livelihoods of many who depend on manual labor to earn a living.

Scripture

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. ²After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. ³When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; ⁴and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. ⁵When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. ⁶And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” ⁷They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” ⁸When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” ⁹When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. ¹⁰Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. ¹¹And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, ¹²saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” ¹³But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? ¹⁴Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. ¹⁵Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” ¹⁶So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’ (Matthew 20:1-16)

Conversation starters

This parable strikes us as unfair when we first read it. How can the landowner pay the laborers who worked only an hour the same day’s wages, as the ones who worked all day? Certainly, no business owner now would do such a thing. Many businesses take advantage of technology and machinery to replace human workers.

There are some, however, who do the opposite and operate employee owned businesses. Perhaps not surprisingly, these do very well because the employees have a stake in the results. Bob’s Red Mill is one of these companies. Their website states, “Bob’s Red Mill is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. People are the most valuable part of our company. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees bring to their work impacts and improves our culture, reputation and overall success.”

How does the landowner’s economics make you feel?

Why do you think Jesus told this parable to illustrate the Kingdom of God?

Do you know someone who lost a job because of automation or the use of technology?

What strikes you about the Red Mill statement that may be different from some other company’s business practices?

Action Item

Research other employee-owned companies and consider purchasing their products.

Parables in Pentecost: Good Samaritan

 The Parable this week is very familiar. It is also one of the longer Parables of Jesus. The Good Samaritan is known by those who study scripture, and in general culture, as the way we are to treat one another.

Scripture

25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 26He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ 27He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ 28And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ 29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’

30Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.  31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” 36Which of these three, do you  think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ 37He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ (Luke 10:25-37)

Conversation starters

The scene starts with a lawyer posing a question to Jesus about eternal life. Jesus responds by asking what Torah says. The lawyer responds with the summary of the Law. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’

Jesus tells the man to follow these instructions “and you will live.” Not content with the answer, though, the lawyer asks, “Who is my neighbor?” To which Jesus responds with the parable about the man beaten and avoided by a priest and a Levite but helped by a Samaritan. Remember, Samaritans were considered outsiders. Good Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans. In some ways they were considered worse than the Romans because they worshipped ‘wrong’ and had abandoned the ‘true faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ 

However, in the parable, it is the ‘outsider’ who fulfills the mandate of the Law and cares for the wounded man. Even going so far as to tell the innkeeper to keep track of additional costs which he will pay when he returns. I like this image of the story because in the background you can see the priest and Levite continuing on their way while the Samaritan tends to the wounded man.

The Samaritan acts as ‘neighbor’ to the wounded man. The parable itself calls us to consider who we call neighbor and who we name as outsider based on what we think we know about them. Social media and rhetoric might encourage us to say that immigrants or the poor or the unhoused or the foreigner or the one who worships differently are not our neighbor.

Jesus, in this parable, says that we cannot do that. In God’s eyes, all are neighbors and deserving of our love and care. “Love our neighbor as yourself,” says the summary of the Law. If everyone is our neighbor, then we have a lot of work to do to love them as God does.

Who might you substitute for “Samaritan” if you were telling the story now?

Who do you find hard to call ‘neighbor’?

Action Item

Send an encouraging card, or even a text or email to someone who is hurting (mind, body, or spirit).