Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 499

And to those standing by he said,

'Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.' 

But they said to him, 'Sir, he has ten gold coins.' 

He replied, 'I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'"

After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

I did not serve in the military and, in my adult life, I have rarely had to deal with direct commands. My authorities, bishops and ministers provincial, usually frame their directives as a request. They might insist and there's little doubt about what they want, but they smile and say "Please," The iron fist wears a silk glove. I can deal with that.

Today's gospel describes a different kind of ruler, one who commands and expects no hesitation, "...bring them here and slay them before me."

The story finishes with. "...(Jesus) proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. " There is a very clear implication: Jesus of Nazareth has authority and knows how to use it. Entering Jerusalem, after a frenetic greeting with palm branches, he will storm into the temple and drive out the merchants. The king has arrived! Judgement is here!

Today's parable alludes to stories both ancient and modern. Seizing the reigns of power, a new ruler must quickly consolidate his power before the resistance can reorganize. If he is supported by the military he has to eliminate his political enemies and put his own people in place. In North Korea the young Kim ordered his uncle placed before an anti-aircraft gun. With the entire government watching he pulled the trigger. The crown prince of Saudi Arabia engineered similar executions, including the murder and dismemberment of a journalist in Turkey. His enemies get the message. They don't have to like him but they will obey him.

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem -- the palm procession and the invasion of the temple -- signify his ultimate authority; but his arrest, trial, torture, and execution announce a different kind of ruler. There is a very deep paradox here. 

On the one hand we must accept the Lordship of Christ or face the dreadful consequences. The laws of nature are merciless and inexorable. How many of our fellow citizens are dying because they disdain the wisdom of God and perish by stupid lifestyle choices? Ordinary human wisdom, without God's intervention, cannot save us from the death spiral of sin. Our best efforts, uninspired, only rearrange the Titanic's proverbial deckchairs.

On the other, Jesus will personally suffer the judgement of wrath in our place.

And so Saint Luke's ominous remark -- "he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem" -- signifies "good news of great joy that will be for all the people!"

We must ponder God's superabundant generosity daily. It must be the staple of every meal. Out of pure Goodness God created the universe. In simple generosity he created human creatures when the Earth was already billions of years old and had got along fine without us. No necessity drove him to send his Son to redeem us. No law required his death on a cross. When we did everything we could to destroy the innocent Son of God; when we had crucified him, buried him, and posted a guard to make sure he stayed dead; the Father raised him up again despite our best efforts.

Everything that God does is grace -- gratuitous, free. Necessary only after it is done, and never impelled by our need. God owes us nothing and give us everything.