A Reflection written by the Rev’d Dr Daniel Dries 26th Sunday after Pentecost 13 November 2016 – Solemn Evensong
And he told them many things in parables… Matthew Chapter 13 contains The Parable of the Sower. This simple parable about extravagant and wasteful farming techniques can be interpreted in many different ways. This is obviously the whole point of parables. Luke’s Gospel contains the greatest number of parables, although Matthew’s Gospel comes a close second with 23 parables, of which 11 are unique. The interpretation of parables will always be ambiguous, perhaps even dangerous. Traditionally speaking, wise teachers presented their students with facts to remember. As Jesus taught in parables, he enabled and encouraged his students to interpret and even draw their own conclusions. This method of teaching, which is not unlike the student-centred learning that now dominates modern classrooms, challenges the student to think, rather than simply retain facts. It is also a very good argument against the rigid and literal interpretation of Scripture, particularly as Christ so often chose metaphors that related to first century Palestine. This is highlighted in The Parable of the Sower. The Parable of the Sower is found in slightly different versions in Luke and Matthew. The New Testament Lesson set for this evening contains Matthew 13.1-9 and 18-23. In the first section, Christ conveys the parable to the crowds. In the second segment (vv. 18-34) he explains the parable, but only to the disciples. Sadly, a middle section of 7 verses is omitted. This missing section records the disciples coming to Christ and asking, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ (Matt 13.10). In rather a harsh tone Christ goes on to say, ‘The reason I speak to them in parables is that seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ (Matt 13.13). Christ seems to be very aware of the limitations of the crowd in terms of their ability to grasp complex theological teaching. It could even be said that he does not seem to have a very high opinion of the crowd (perhaps this is why the compilers of the Lectionary omitted these verses!). However, the disciples demonstrate again and again that they also fail to grasp his teaching. Despite all of this, Christ goes on teach in other complex parables which enable his audience to draw their conclusions, or at least nuances, for each story. The nature of parables requires the reader or listener to reflect on their own experiences and situation in life. This will always be confronting; it certainly is at the present time.
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During this past week, events in the United States of America have dominated our news and probably the conversations we have shared with one another. For many of us, the unexpected result in the U.S. Presidential Election has been more than a little unsettling. Regardless of our political views and allegiance, the painful and significant divisions within American Society, and perhaps the Western World, give us cause for concern. For more than a year, we have witnessed a brutal election campaign, with criticism and insults being hurled from both sides of the political divide. The reflections of journalists and political analysts are likely to dominate the media for months to come. One very early article in the Sydney Morning Herald carried the headline: ‘US election: No Silver lining for Australia in this cloud.’ The grim claims made in this article by Professor Andrew O’Neil, Professor of Political Science in the Griffith Business School, may be absolutely true; however, as Christians we shouldn’t always be looking for silver linings. Instead, we need to look for meaning, and what God may be trying to tell us and teach us at this point in history. Many of the parables did not have silver linings; some don’t even have happy endings. However, they all challenged their audience to find meaning and to ascertain God’s will. The media reports that have followed the US election have largely focussed on how ‘WE’ will be affected by the result. How will ‘OUR economy weather instability?’ etc. As we look upon an America divided, we see great pain as a result of inequality in wealth, health and education. We see hatred fuelled by difference in race, gender and sexual orientation. The instability and division that we see in America may not have a silver-lining, at least not in the short term. However, we undoubtedly have much to learn from this devastating situation. As Christians we have to believe that God always has something to say to us. As we look at our television screens, we could say that God is shouting at us. As we try to find meaning in all of this, we have to look beyond how we might be personally affected by these events. What is God trying to tell us about our world at this point in history, and what are we being called to do about it? As Jesus taught the crowds using parables, he was well aware that they would struggle to find the meaning in his teaching. Even the disciples would struggle to understand so much of what he taught them. As disciples living in 2016 we have a distinct advantage over the crowds taught by Christ, and even the disciples who struggled to understand. As we read the parables about the kingdom of God, we do so with the knowledge of the crucifixion and resurrection; we have witnessed the power of a young teacher washing his students’ feet after they shared a final meal. This knowledge and theology must underpin the way we interpret current world events. As we face great poverty, violence and brokenness, disciples of Christ are called to look upon the poorest and most marginalised, rather than focussing on our own interests. Instead of looking for a silver lining in a global mess, we should be asking, ‘How will all of this affect THEM?’ As people continue to build dividing walls and barriers, the Kingdom of God seems further and further out of our grasp. As some races and peoples are told that they are made less in the image of God than others, the Kingdom of God seems evermore distant. There is so much to learn from current world events and trends, not just in the United States. These events are confronting and challenging to interpret, but we must try. The most terrifying aspect of these events is that they are not a parable – they are really happening.
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