December 20th, 2023
Matthew 24:45-51
‘Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, “My master is delayed”, and he begins to beat his fellow-slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him into pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Reflection
This is an example of a text that gives Advent a very bad reputation. Reading it is like taking someone you have a crush on to a slasher movie and expecting them to fall in love with you. Hey, let me introduce you to Jesus. The RSV translation softened the text by substituting “punish” for “cut to pieces.” Still, it is no wonder why people watch Hallmark movies in October.
Our worries and concerns impact the way we read the scriptures, and the worries and concerns of those who wrote them impacted what they wrote. Knowing something about the context within which the scriptures were written is essential to understanding them. Early Christians expected Jesus to return immediately. When he did not return immediately, their anxiety increased like ours does when our plane’s departure is continuously delayed. As time passed, people eventually lost their focus and their discipline. They became lazy and self-absorbed.
Matthew is using a time-tested parental threat. “Just wait until your father gets home.” Fear is not a great long-term motivator. However, I do not believe that Matthew is leading with a threat. There is a deeper foundation to Matthew’s story. He is trying to get his readers to focus on their vocation. We should pay attention to the fact that the slave is supposed to be concerned that everyone gets what they need. They are not concerned about their own welfare or whether or not they are going to get into heaven. They are called to be devoted to others.
Many years ago, I heard a fictitious story about a dysfunctional monastery. It was full of strife. A guest monk came and told them that the Lord was coming. The monks set about many tasks. The building was cleaned and repaired. As a result, relationships were healed. The monks waited and wondered. When it came time for their guest to depart, he told them that the Lord had already come.
There is another dimension to Matthew’s story that is worthy of contemplation. If we remember that Matthew is intimately connected with the story of Israel, it is possible to hear an echo of Joseph’s saga here. Sold as a slave by his brothers, he finds himself living in Egypt where he ascends to become Pharoah’s chief of staff. When famine descended upon the land, Joseph was in a position to make sure the people were given what they needed. At the end of the story, when Joseph is reunited with his family, he tells them that God had sent him before them. His attitude allowed the family to be reconciled rather than be torn apart by a vengeful spirit.
Joseph’s saga overlays Matthew’s story and the season of Advent. Regardless of what time we live in, whether it be a time of prosperity or adversity, we live with hopefulness not only for a time that will come, but in the time that is. Like Joseph and John the Baptist, we prepare the way for God’s reconciling work. Advent reminds us of our vocation. It encourages us to be disciplined and prepared. It teaches us to value the moment in which we are living because all moments belong to God.
The Rev. Dr. Mark Story
Rector, St. Mary’s Edmond, Oklahoma City