RBWords

     As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the gospel scripture from the Gospel of Luke is from the last days of Jesus' life.  He has arrived in Jerusalem.  Since he has been preaching about the "Kingdom of God," some of his more enthusiastic followers may have been expecting that Jesus would lead an uprising or some other movement that would create the Kingdom of God on earth.  However, Jesus' "kingdom" is not about a political reality.  The parable in today's gospel is about the "unwanted king."  Jesus is destined to be the "unwanted King," as witnessed, unintentionally, in the sign that Pilate puts on the cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews!" 

 

     Jesus is not only a rejected King, but he will be a returning King!  This is where the accountability of followers and the rejecters comes in.  Those who await his return must live according to his commands.  Those who reject him will suffer.  In the parable, those who take initiative and spread the wealth of the king are rewarded.  The one who lives in fear and does nothing is punished.  Where are we in this parable?  We may not reject Jesus outright, but are we living as he commands?  Not only does Jesus "return" to Jerusalem, where the temple is God's dwelling, and is rejected, but he will return at the end of time as well.  Are we sending messages that we do not want him?  It's a tough parable, but we cannot escape responsibility by ignoring it!  AMEN