Last week we heard the parable of the rich fool who would tear down his barns and build bigger ones for his large harvest. Jesus called him, and people like him, fools because they “store up treasure for themselves, but are not rich in what matters to God” (12:21).
We return today to talk about money and treasure. Jesus instructs us how we can have an “inexhaustible treasure in heaven,” which is indestructible and not subject to decay. “Sell your belongings and give alms.” Jesus’ concern for the poor and oppressed flows throughout Luke. In his inaugural address in the synagogue in Nazareth (4:14ff), he quotes from Isaiah and announces that he has been sent “to bring glad tidings to the poor” (4:18). His healing powers benefit the poor, the oppressed and those shunned by society, lepers, the woman with the hemorrhage, the sinful woman, the dead, etc.
Jesus’ miracles and teaching stress the importance of the poor for his disciples. As we read today, his followers are to be detached from possessions, “sell your belongings and give alms.” He chose his disciples from the poor and outcast and sends them on mission, not dependent on their own possessions, but with the assurance that the Father has already given them the kingdom. They are, unlike the rich fool of last week’s gospel, already “rich in what matters to God.”
Jesus reminds his disciples that a concern for property closes us to God’s call. “For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart.” When wealthy people entered the early church they shared their wealth to help the poor. Jesus taught that the rich, who are attached to their possessions and detached from the poor around them, would not sit at the eschatological banquet — but the poor and outcast would (14:16-24).
Today’s parable focuses on Jesus’ return and the need for our fidelity and preparedness as we wait. It certainly has unusual elements to it (which parables always have) which give clues to its interpretation and application. The master is returning from a wedding. In light of the marriage customs of the time, the master could be returning with his bride. This would make the master’s actions even more startling. The custom would mean celebration and feasting upon the couple’s arrival. The servants should have been prepared, not just with a quick bite to eat, but with a major celebration.
Jesus has exhorted his disciples not to be afraid because their needs are in God’s hands. Then he shifts to urging watchfulness, faithful service, preparedness for his expected coming and the ingathering that will follow — in light of this parable, the wedding banquet with the Lord.
We have many daily concerns to attend to. Still, we are told not to be attached to possessions, or be dependent on them for our security. We can’t take anything for granted because, as we know from our experience, anything can happen. When the world turns upside down on us, what will keep us from freefall? If we have set our priorities right and kept our eyes attentive to Jesus’ unexpected entry into our lives, we can have confidence that God will give us what we need. “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” Apparently Luke’s “little flock” was afraid and needed to be reassured and reminded that their security was in God. So do we.
By the time Luke writes it is clear that the end time will not come immediately. Previously Mark anticipated Jesus’ quick return. Luke has to modify that heightened expectation, and so he states quite clearly — we don’t know when the end will come (19:11). For Luke, we now live in the period of the church which, according to today’s parable, is a period of heightened expectation. He is concerned about how disciples live now, as a community waiting for Christ.
Who are we in this church? — people who have experienced an interior change, and are visibly living out the consequences of that change by witnessing to the present and future coming of the kingdom of God. Luke is formulating, in his gospel and then in Acts, what it means to be church. He is writing after Pentecost, with the community’s growing understanding of itself as: originating in Jesus; being a fulfillment of Israel’s hopes, and a community of the end times.
What should the church be doing as we wait for Jesus’ return? In other parables Luke has shown the dynamic and living powers of the Word of Jesus (8:4-15). Being attentive to that Word qualifies disciples for membership or exclusion. The community would hear, and hear again, parables like today’s and so be formed by what they hear. The community has been entrusted by the Word and also been challenged by it, as we hear again: “You also must be prepared, for an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
The Spirit plays an important part in both Luke’s gospel and his sequel the Acts. Since we are entrusted with the Word and challenged to live and proclaim it to the world, we need the Spirit’s guiding presence. How else will we know how to stay vigilant, and not lose heart as we wait for the return of the bridegroom, unless by the Spirit’s constant presence in our midst?
Vigilance and fidelity are not ours to manufacture, especially in hard times when giving up seems like a practical course of action. It is said, “It’s better to give than receive.” But that’s not how it is with God. God gives and we receive — that’s better! Faith and vigilance are pure gifts from God. Because of these gifts we can be the responsible and alert servants Jesus calls us to be. Having received God’s gifts we use them and rely on them in our service.
Our second reading shows how God fulfills the promise God made to the Hebrews. For Luke, that promise is fulfilled in Jesus who has given us his Spirit. The Lord asks us to be ready to welcome him and open our hearts to him when he comes. The Spirit has begun that process by creating a vigilant and welcoming heart in us.
The parable surprises us. Normally we expect servants to wait on masters and mistresses, but when this master comes and knocks he hitches up his robes and invites the servants to the table and then serves them! The Messiah has come, Jesus says, to serve us and not be served. At this Eucharist he offers the best food and drink for us — his own body and blood. Can we hear his invitation to sit down and eat, not because we have earned room and board, but because it’s a gift of his love for us — an everlasting love.
Before we can give — serve at the table — we need to first be able to receive and to appreciate that we are on the receiving end. Then, gratitude is our appropriate response at the table of the Lord. Next, we keep our eyes and ears open to notice who needs an invitation to eat and drink, find shelter and safety at the table — which we must provide for them.