Package Deals
Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message
September 28, 2016
Part of growing up, I think, is learning that certain things
come with a cost, and that the choices we make in life have costs and
consequences—not because of some overarching enforcer of rules in the universe,
but simply because that’s the way things are.
I saw an example in a recent Vestry Meeting. Phyllis Reynolds made this observation about
the problems entailed in any ministry to the homeless: “Supporting the homeless means costs and
commitments. The issue is always how
much cost are we willing to bear?”
C.S. Lewis wrote that asking God to forgive our sins without
any intention of making amends or reforming our lives is like asking God to
heal us without healing us.
I once counseled a man who wanted a happy family life, but
was reluctant to be faithful to his wife.
All I could tell him was that he wanted two contradictory things, and he
needed to decide what exactly he wanted more.
In this political season, we often encounter candidates for
office who say they want to balance the budget, increase services and projects,
and yet cut taxes. They have many
fantasy ways of arguing that none of this is self-contradictory. Regardless, both the left and the right tend
to share in their own ways unrealistic and magical thinking here.
I think this is what many of Jesus’ parables are about: they often can be read as harsh critiques of
the world and economy we live in. But
they also point to another way, what Jesus calls “the Reign of God.” At their heart is the idea that you can’t
have things both ways in a world where things are broken as badly as they
are. You have to trust God first, set
priorities in line with that, and then accept the consequences.
Grace and peace,
Fr. Tony+
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