Certainty is an addiction for many of us. As British Summer Time wanes, we note the rhythmic cycle of the seasons that is not ours to control. (We try to manage it by adjusting our clocks!) There is tension between anticipated candle-lit cosiness and winter’s potentially chaotic offerings of weather and viruses. In today’s bible story, Jesus talks about being ready for the unexpected as it were a responsibility. What do his words have to offer you?
Our story is found in the Gospel written by Luke, towards the end of a chapter where Jesus, speaking to a crowd, pulls no punches. His focus seems to jump from the intimate to the throng - if you want to read the whole chapter, imagine a camera lens moving between the close up and the panoramic shots.
Here is a paraphrase of today’s excerpt:
“ ‘Know this - if a house owner knew when the thief was coming, he would not let his house be burgled. In this way must you be ready, for the Son of Man comes at an unexpected hour.’
Peter said, ‘Are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’
Jesus said, ‘Who is the faithful and prudent manager? The one a master will leave in charge, to care for the household and its people? Blessed is the one whose master finds her at work when he returns. There is no doubt he will put her in charge of everything.
But if she says to herself, “My master is delayed” and begins to mistreat those in her care, to eat and drink to excess, her Master will come on a day she does not expect him; at an hour she has not anticipated - will cut her in pieces and count her among the unfaithful.
That servant who knew what her master wanted but did not ready herself for it or do what was required will receive a severe punishment.
One who did not know and did wrong will receive a lesser punishment.
If you have been given much, much will be required of you; if you have been trusted with much, more will be demanded from you.’ ”
Where do you place yourself in this story?
Do you imagine you are Peter - the servant in the story - or one of Jesus’ close friends?
Or do you place yourself in the larger crowd - perhaps the servants who ‘do not know’ what is expected?
Or something else?
Spend some time in silence, wondering what this all means for you.
Imagine there was a silence after Jesus finished saying these words. Does it feel awkward or inviting? Are you inclined to sit and think, or stand up and do something?
How might it feel to ‘be ready’ for the unexpected but inevitable future, in your present-day circumstances?
Stay with these ideas for a while.
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
It is interesting that Peter prompts Jesus to talk about certain people carrying more responsibility to ‘be prepared’ than others - almost as if he invites that challenge: “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?”
Perhaps he felt the disciples were called to a greater level of readiness – that that this command was too much for the crowd? That he was better equipped? Or perhaps he was only confused!
Imagine his words in your own mouth. What do they mean, coming from you?
Who is the faithful and prudent manager? The one a master will leave in charge, to care for the household and its people? Blessed is the one found at work when he returns; he will put her in charge of everything.
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How do you feel, reading these words?
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Might the capacity for readiness be judged according to our material security - the extent to which we are fortunate enough to have our needs met, day-by-day? Millions do not have free access to their ‘allowance of food at the proper time’ (Luke 12: 42) - do not have free-range enjoyment of their master’s good gifts - so surely it is the responsibility of others to care for them?
Or, would you say Jesus’ words are directed at all who hear them, in whichever time, place and level of affluence they live? Is it patronising to say otherwise? How can we distinguish between the servant who knew what was wanted and the one who did not?
What part does power play in all this?
How are you being called to prepare yourself for what is to come?
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Going back to the start of this reflection about being prepared, perhaps the preparations we make are not for ourselves. Perhaps we are invited to make changes that give security to someone else’s future. Are there changes you might make, as the clocks change, that might bring more candle-lit cosiness to someone else’s winter? Is this a way of being ready for the future?
Feel free to ponder on any words, phrases or emotions raised by this reflection. If you like, you might listen to the song below or to use the quote from Shakespeare’s Hamlet used in our title and shown at the end of this post.