MANY STROKES OF THE LASH

PRAYER MOMENT                      

Wednesday 22 October 2014

MANY STROKES OF THE LASH

                     

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash.” (Luke 12:39-48)

Reflection. In vivid imagery, that no doubt reflected every day realities in the ancient world –and not only the ancient – Jesus tries to shake up his hearers to recognise there is little time left. They have to make a decision. How many teachers have tried to shake up their students to realise the time of exams is close.. How often people prefer to hide from themselves the coming reality? The coming time when a response is needed should not, of course, be seen as threatening. It is an opportunity – the opportunity! This language of retribution is unusual. Jesus normally invites. But at this stage of the gospel Jesus is anxious that people are letting slip the moment of decision. They do not seem to realise the urgency of the times. They are not choosing; they are missing out. And they are missing out on issues that are the heart of being human. Not to decide is not to be alive..

Prayer. Lord, teach us to see that we have little time left. Help us to be fully engaged in the issues that face us. Open our hearts to be imaginative and creative. Amen..  

David Harold-Barry SJ