Dear Caldwell,
As we travel from Sunday to Sunday this week, almost the entire Southeast is in for a major drenching – in some cases, far worse. Let us pray for all who suffer during this, yet another storm, yet another reminder that it’s still 2020. As I watch the rain steadily gain momentum outside my window, it strikes me that God’s truth is a little like water. Water will find it’s way in, one way or another, something everyone who has had a leaky roof knows too well. For those of us who listen for God’s truth, it, too, will find a way in, one way or another.
One of the sneakiest ways Christ shared God’s truth is through telling stories we call parables. Stories stick with us like nothing else, far more than facts and data. Jesus’ parables tended to work on his listeners like water in that they don’t always hit us directly in the face with a single, clear truth. We have to listen deeply and live with these stories for a while to plumb the real depth of their meaning.
A great example of that is found in Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. It tells the story of a vineyard owner who hires laborers in ways that some might say are down right offensive, at least as seen by the world’s standards, which are not God’s standards. On Sunday, we will wrestle a bit with this parable and challenge how the church has often stopped short in its traditional reading of it.
Jesus begins this parable by saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like ….” That’s a phrase that is meant to say, “Hey, listen up. This is important!” And, because it’s important, we will, in part, listen for how this parable invites us to think about racial injustice in America, as we continue our 21-Day Challenge. If you are looking for a handy way to do your part in the 21 days on whatever day you read this, click here for a related article on a vitally important aspect of that conversation, namely a Christian approach to reparations.
Don’t Forget Vespers Tonight
Tonight in Vespers, we’ll continue our exploration of Spiritual Disciplines. The one we’ll be engaging in tonight is one that is unfamiliar to most of us as Presbyterians: meditating on Christ’s Passion and the Stations of the Cross.
Christ’s Passion and the Stations of the Cross refer to the same thing—the story of Jesus’ Crucifixion, from his condemnation by Pilate through his death on the cross. We’ll discuss Jesus’ path to Golgotha (the hill where he was crucified) and how his suffering is relevant for us modern people today.
We will use parts of the Passion accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as we meditate on the Stations of the Cross.
See you at 8 p.m.
Finally, We’re Still Praying for Justice for Wilma
You may have seen a link to WCCB’s follow-up story this week asking our city for information related to Wilma Petty’s death. If not, click here to watch the story. I am grateful for reporter Tricia Williford’s interest in this case.
Watch next for Caldwell This Week. I pray you and those you love find shelter from this storm.
In Christ,
John