Meditations on Lent - #13
In the New Testament used by the Christian tradition Matthew writes that Jesus says, “…Whoever wants to be great among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26) Earlier in Matthew Jesus is alleged to have told a parable indicating that the last shall first and the first shall be last. The parable tells the story of a landowner paying the same to the workers who started work early that day and the ones who started much earlier in the day. The workers who began early in the day were not happy about having worked all day and only getting paid the same small amount as those who had worked a much shorter day. They obviously felt that their work was devalued. The person paying the worker defends himself by saying it is his money and he has the right to do what he wants with his money.
The assumptions of the workers who worked all day seem to be:
It seems that nothing much has changed. Often, we hear workers grumbling because as base pay is increased over time many new workers are getting the same amount as those who are young and just started. It does not seem to matter that the pay is low or relatively low for everyone.
When humans were organized in small groups and all resources were shared around a common table life was much simpler. Yet I suspect, even then, there were some in the community who, at times, felt as if they did more of the work and deserved more food, furs, food, the larger abode or the best-looking partner.
Since recorded time, humans have been striving in one way or another to be recognized as first and rewarded as the most valuable. Worth is often determined by how much status, money, awards, or other symbols of material and social success one attains. Even in many churches and clearly in many Christian Churches one’s importance is indicated by salary, costume, title or the size of one’s congregation. There are exceptions of course. Mother Theresa was esteemed by the magnitude for the service she organized and provided for some of the most vulnerable humans. The fact that she was a woman who openly struggled with her faith at times only added to the admiration many had and have for this saint. Yet, there are many saints among us who live a very quiet, largely unnoticed, poorly paid, if paid at all, life of service. Whether they are a single parent of biological children, a foster parent who gives 12 fold what they are paid to do, the one who consistently shows up early to make coffee for the 12 step meeting attendees, a nurse who quietly gives 200 % and does not see it as work, the volunteer who stays in the background serving at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, a business owner who keeps track of the struggles and special needs of those working in the business and quietly offers assistance or an encouraging word, they are the some of the last who shall be first. Perhaps the janitor who knows all the students in the school and always makes times to listen or the physician who find a way to serve mainly an underserved population such as Medicaid recipients, the LBGT community, immigrants fleeing violence and treated as criminals by some officials in the United States, or those finding a way to make quality childcare more affordable for the lowest paid workers are some of the last who shall be first.
As we teach our children this Lenten season what will we tell them about why “the last shall be first and the first shall be last or “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”? How shall we motivate them to serve if they do not have the requisite expensive athletic shoes, the latest video game or a smart phone? How shall we motivate them to study hard and learn to be physicians, farmers, carpenters, public servants, janitors, or heavy equipment operators if they are not receiving significantly more money and more honors? How shall we explain that those from the “wrong side of the track” might be just as deserving as those from “the right side of the track”? How shall we explain that hard work does not necessarily reap tangible rewards?
Perhaps this could be an important and fun dinner conversation for families this Lenten season. Perhaps as we struggle with the possible meaning of this teaching we will find the peace of humility.
March 19, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
In the New Testament used by the Christian tradition Matthew writes that Jesus says, “…Whoever wants to be great among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26) Earlier in Matthew Jesus is alleged to have told a parable indicating that the last shall first and the first shall be last. The parable tells the story of a landowner paying the same to the workers who started work early that day and the ones who started much earlier in the day. The workers who began early in the day were not happy about having worked all day and only getting paid the same small amount as those who had worked a much shorter day. They obviously felt that their work was devalued. The person paying the worker defends himself by saying it is his money and he has the right to do what he wants with his money.
The assumptions of the workers who worked all day seem to be:
- One only works or serves because of the reward.
- Is fair for those who, for whatever reason, were able to start work early to get paid more.
It seems that nothing much has changed. Often, we hear workers grumbling because as base pay is increased over time many new workers are getting the same amount as those who are young and just started. It does not seem to matter that the pay is low or relatively low for everyone.
When humans were organized in small groups and all resources were shared around a common table life was much simpler. Yet I suspect, even then, there were some in the community who, at times, felt as if they did more of the work and deserved more food, furs, food, the larger abode or the best-looking partner.
Since recorded time, humans have been striving in one way or another to be recognized as first and rewarded as the most valuable. Worth is often determined by how much status, money, awards, or other symbols of material and social success one attains. Even in many churches and clearly in many Christian Churches one’s importance is indicated by salary, costume, title or the size of one’s congregation. There are exceptions of course. Mother Theresa was esteemed by the magnitude for the service she organized and provided for some of the most vulnerable humans. The fact that she was a woman who openly struggled with her faith at times only added to the admiration many had and have for this saint. Yet, there are many saints among us who live a very quiet, largely unnoticed, poorly paid, if paid at all, life of service. Whether they are a single parent of biological children, a foster parent who gives 12 fold what they are paid to do, the one who consistently shows up early to make coffee for the 12 step meeting attendees, a nurse who quietly gives 200 % and does not see it as work, the volunteer who stays in the background serving at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, a business owner who keeps track of the struggles and special needs of those working in the business and quietly offers assistance or an encouraging word, they are the some of the last who shall be first. Perhaps the janitor who knows all the students in the school and always makes times to listen or the physician who find a way to serve mainly an underserved population such as Medicaid recipients, the LBGT community, immigrants fleeing violence and treated as criminals by some officials in the United States, or those finding a way to make quality childcare more affordable for the lowest paid workers are some of the last who shall be first.
As we teach our children this Lenten season what will we tell them about why “the last shall be first and the first shall be last or “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”? How shall we motivate them to serve if they do not have the requisite expensive athletic shoes, the latest video game or a smart phone? How shall we motivate them to study hard and learn to be physicians, farmers, carpenters, public servants, janitors, or heavy equipment operators if they are not receiving significantly more money and more honors? How shall we explain that those from the “wrong side of the track” might be just as deserving as those from “the right side of the track”? How shall we explain that hard work does not necessarily reap tangible rewards?
Perhaps this could be an important and fun dinner conversation for families this Lenten season. Perhaps as we struggle with the possible meaning of this teaching we will find the peace of humility.
March 19, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
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