Holy Textures

Matthew 21:33-46

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It beats me why the creators of the Lectionary have us reading events from Holy Week for the months of October and November.

I guess it is to give us ample opportunity to explain that the clash between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time is NOT a clash between Christianity and Judaism; they should NOT be read as Jesus teaching that Christianity replaces Judaism; the Church replaces Israel. The phrase in Verse 43, "Taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruit of the Kingdom," does NOT mean "taken away from you Jews and given to Christians."

However, it is true that in so far as the religious LEADERS are concerned, this parable is a direct challenge to them, because, as usual, on the question of who is entitled to what, Jesus reframes the terms of reference for answering that question. The leaders would answer the question in terms of their status; Jesus answers the question in terms of activity - producing the fruit of the Kingdom.

Who, ACTUALLY, is producing the fruit of the Kingdom? It could be the religious leaders, nay, it should be the religious leaders. But are they? Are we?

Matthew 21:23-32

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Today's text ought to make all of us who are in church very nervous.

It would be a misreading to hear this text as Jesus condemning Jews and Judaism. Instead, if we ask, "Who would be the chief priests and elders today," the answer is, "Us!" For we are the religiously observant people today. We are the ones who go to church. We are the ones who read our bibles.

Matthew 20:1-16

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This text is another parable on the Kingdom of Heaven.

As is often the case, the parable focuses on the survival concerns of those who are poorest and most vulnerable under the reign of the present ruler: food, daily wages, protection, etc.

As is the case today, daily labourers were among the poorest. The denarius, the usual daily wage, was just enough to buy food for that day. No work that day meant no food that day.

As the landowner engages each group of labourers, he makes the standard agreement with each of them. But at the end of the day, the early groups are surprised - and envious - that he has made the SAME agreement with everyone, even those who only began working at the end of the day.

Matthew 18:21-35

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Chapter 18 of Matthew is a series of teachings about what community of Jesus' disciples is to be like / look like / act like.

The previous passage, Matthew 18:15-20, outlines a detailed process for resolving conflicts WITHIN the community. At a minimum this should give us a heads up that there will be conflict within the church. We will fight. There is no question of that. The question is: How will resolve conflicts? (We will resolve conflicts, won't we? Not just hold silent grudges for the rest of our lives. Just asking.)

Good old Peter can see a loop hole in the advice Jesus gives.

The Kingdom of Heaven

From that time Jesus began to proclaim,
   "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven
    has come near."
        Matthew 4:17

The above verse sets out his core message at the onset of Jesus' ministry.

I must confess that for many years I have hardly paid any attention to it. Or, I have heard it as:

From that time Jesus began to proclaim,
   "Repent for ... Heaven
    has come near."

That is, I haven't heard and taken seriously the "Kingdom" language Jesus uses.

And frankly, the inattentive listening on my part has missed the sharp edge of what Jesus was proclaiming. Has missed what those who followed him heard loud and clear. Has missed just what it was about Jesus that was so exciting to some and so threatening to others.