My Sermon this past Sunday at Church of the Incarnation, expressed my continued reflection on the “Parables of The Future.” The future pulls us and shapes us. In the Christian view, the being of humans is bound up with the future to which we are destined. Ultimately that future is the Consummation of all things, The New Creation, the Second Advent of Christ.
Weaving together the wisdom of psychology, social science, theology, and spirituality in writing, speaking, and teaching, is the way I endeavor to lift others up as a priest and fellow companion, into the reality of the Trinitarian love of God. It is how I am wired in my preaching and the words I share.
Integrating head and heart, my time with this parable was drawn to the immeasurable generosity of God in giving us not only life and existence, but entrusting us with “talents,” the responsibility and agency to live a life of significance, and not futility.
The talent, the money, the gift given by the master in the story, is relationship and friendship with God and transfigured human life.
1. We need to acknowledge the generosity and goodness of God towards us. It’s the question: Why are we here? What is our purpose? What is God’s purpose in our creation, painting us into the canvas of reality?
We are invited to go on the adventure of life, to be creative, to own and steward our gifting. Two of the three servants were commended for taking bold and courageous initiative, using their agency to create what God desires
2. Accountability: Our Lives Matter. The third servant, the one who hid the talent, was wrong about the nature of “The Master.” “‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.”
There is however great risk in living from fear, and from a lack of confidence in the greatness and goodness of God.
3. A Life of Significance is a Faithful Life. The most flourishing way to live is in fidelity and faithfulness to the God who seeks our loving friendship. God indeed is our future.
In this story, our role is nothing more than to receive the magnitude of this loving invitation and give our yes in response. It’s to awaken. It’s to be faithful..
With you on the Journey and The Way,
Rob+
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS