Fr Ben Garren

Dear Siblings in Christ,

As we welcome the new Beloved in the Desert Cohort into our midst for the next year we are hoping that their struggles and triumphs will nourish the greater community. Their thoughts and reflections will, on occasion, be part of our Daily Bread. One of the new Beloveds, Hannah, wanted to share her struggle with some of the imagery from the Gospel we heard on Sunday:

This weeks’ Gospel reading presents us with some unusual comparisons to the coming of Christ. Jesus’ return in these verses is compared to that of a thief in the night or a master returning home to slaves. Here Luke tells us that we ought to be the eager slaves, waiting by the door all night so that when our Lord returns, we may open the door for him and usher him into the home. There is something about this imagery that seems unfair to me. What do you mean I have to be a slave, and since when is Jesus a thief? It didn’t make sense.

When I first read this passage, I was frustrated that I should be compared to a slave, and God the slave master. After all, slavery is a terrible thing, no one should have to be a slave, especially a slave to a God that claims to be so loving. Why is it that I should have to wait up all night? Why should I be expected to tirelessly and faithfully wait by the door for an undisclosed amount of time, or prepare for my home to be burglarized in the night? It just didn’t make sense to me.

But as I reflected and prepared to write my thoughts, it occurred to me that this passage of scripture is not about me, and it is not about God’s dominion over me. The whole time I had been frustrated with this gospel because I couldn’t admit to myself that God is the superior being. I wanted to badly to make myself an equal that I didn’t see where the spirit was leading me in this text.

All of a sudden this has turned into a lesson on humility, and I realized that Luke is right, I should eagerly and tirelessly serve the Lord. He is greater than I and my response should always be one of service, and I should be leaning into the will of God instead of trying to argue my way out. Verse 37 tells us that when the master returns and finds his slaves waiting up for him, he will bring them a meal, and serve them at the table. In the same way, if I submit to the glory of the Lord, then I too will have a seat at the table.

May we all be open to God’s overwhelming love, a love that surpasses any we know, and come to serve and be served by that Love. Amen.

Peace,
Ben