Faithful Servants and Wicked Tenants

I just saw the news that Nelson Mandela has died. It is indeed a momentous passing. It is hard to overstate the witness of his life, from all he endured and suffered in the struggle against apartheid to the remarkable humility and grace with which he took up the reins of power. If ever it could be said, "Well done, good and faithful servant..."

As I reflect on this, I am acutely aware of how easy my life has been, how petty my concerns and problems are, yet how hard it often is for me to do what I know is right. And the parable Jesus tells in today's gospel only heightens this awareness.

The "Parable of the Wicked Tenants" is directed at chief priests and elders, the leaders of Temple Judaism, the Church of that day. Jesus is abundantly clear that these leaders have failed in their calling, operating the religious structures more for their own benefit rather than serving God. And I can't help but wonder; what sort of parable would Jesus tell to me and to leaders of the Church in our day?

Read through the gospels and listen to Jesus' teachings. Hear the sort of life he calls his followers to live - suffering for the sake of others, praying for enemies, inviting the poor and destitute into our homes, not worrying about possessions of money but focusing on God's coming rule, doing God's will even when it is terribly difficult and costly - then wonder how likely Jesus would be to say to me or you, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Very often the church is focused on serving its members and leaders, and the work Jesus calls us to is a small, sometimes insignificant piece of a congregation's life. It is common for churches with million dollar budgets to spend well under $100,000 on others, on the work Jesus calls us to do. We may not be corrupt like the tenants in Jesus' parable, but neither are we much focused on what Jesus calls us to do.

MaryAnn McKibben Dana had an interesting blog post the other day on the 'beyond repair" status of the Christian "brand." I wonder if this 'beyond repair" situation describes a great deal of what is labeled "church" by those of us who grew up in traditional, Mainline congregations that reached their zenith in the 1950s. If Jesus returned and gazed upon the many beautiful church buildings that dot the American landscape, would he give their congregations a "Well done," or would he instead say something about not one stone being left upon another?

Thankfully, with God there is much grace, yet still the Advent call rings out, "Prepare the way of the Lord. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

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