Tuesday of the 3^rd Week of Lent (Year A)

St. Patrick (memorial)

Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35

Today’s reading in the common lectionary is a contrast of sorts, which seems common between the reading from the Hebrew scripture (Old Testament) and from the Christian scriptures (New Testament). As the Christian church moves closer to the Easter season and the commemoration of the death and resurrection of the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the readings continue to seem to promote a transformation of sorts. That is no different today. In the reading from the Book of the prophet Daniel, the person of Azariah, more commonly know as Abendago (yes of fiery furnace fame with Daniel), is speaking from that very same fiery furnace seeking the Lord’s favor in their perilous situation. It is their “contrite heart and humble spirit” that they offer up to the Lord as reason for God’s mercy. So here, we see humility. Yet, in the passage from Matthew, we find that the grace of the ruler bestowed to his “pleading” servant for debt relief, is not then later extended by that same servant toward another who is in his very debt. Obviously he has not heard of the phrase, “pay it forward.” He does not act with humility, and actually is quite unforgiving in his treatment of his debtor.

As we experience a surreal time in the world with the coronavirus, people’s true natures are coming out. Many are extending their hand in assistance to those without. Many others are cleaning out Costco for anything they can fit in their cart. Those who have means, are often the first to stuff their pantries. I confess I found it hard not to just grab every item I could afford off the shelf of this or that. But that seems to be the way for us who come from privilege. Yes, we give to charity, and perhaps even to justice work, but how far will we go? How far will I go? Will we truly threaten our own comfort and safety for others? Many of those who experience privilege now, at one time came from places without. Do we remember what that felt like? When one’s decision was not whether to buy the 24 pack or 36 pack of toilet paper, but whether one could find one roll at a local 7-Eleven at an elevated price because one had the money to buy one, but didn’t have the money to buy the standard 4 pack.

It amazes me that those without, truly seem to understand the concept of faith, perhaps because they are not fooled by the amount of their pocketbook and the often perceived hope it can cause! Mind you, we all could use a little more. But it is commonly known in the Church that the poorer the church congregation, the higher the percentage of their giving is. Azariah, in the fiery pit, pleaded with the Lord that they had no burnt offering (one would have had to buy something to offer), but THEY actually would be the burnt offering if the Lord didn’t do something. But with fire about them, Azariah and his colleagues had a contrite hear and they offered what they had in the moment. The unforgiving servant in the Matthew story whose debt was forgiven, who would not then forgive the debt owed to him, was left to the torturers.

St. Patrick, whose feast day is celebrated today, walked life with a “contrite and humble” heart. While he could have been wealthy with the gifts he received, he took nothing, but always gave instead. His lifestyle was simple and his heart one of acceptance. Perhaps that is why so many would choose to walk the same path as he. What path as a white male of privilege in the United States will I take?