Climbing the Ladder (2016-09-18)

Sunday Sept. 18, 2016

25^th Sunday (year C)  

• Amos 8:4-7 • Psalm 113  •  • 1 Timothy 2:1-8 •  Luke 16:1-13•

[__01__]   A ladder will help us to climb. However, we can only be on one ladder – going upwards at a time. Also, if one were on a ladder, it would be quite a risk to jump, go – or move -  from one ladder to the other.

          One should descend, go down, one ladder before ascending or going up another ladder.

          We have just read a parable about a man on a ladder. He is not on a ladder one would use for construction, roofing, or carpentry. In fact, he acknowledges that he is too weak for such manual labor.

          His ladder is about financial gain and comfort, getting ahead.

What happened in the parable?  What went down ...or up this ladder?

[__02__]  In the parable, a steward – or we could call him the sales agent , or sales representative  or  representative – is  working for a landowner, a property owner, a large corporation.  From this owner or corporation, there is wheat, olive oil and more ONLINE for sale.

This representative is climbing the corporate ladder.

          In his ascent, he is making good money. But, the representative has been – for some time – squandering the corporate assets, the money of the owner.

          How does he do this? Oh, he makes sure that the corporation is paid their fair share. Thus, he climbs the ladder. But, he increases his margin, his profit.  Though the company might have charged 1.9% interest, the sales rep would have sent you a monthly statement for 19% interest.

          Though the company might offer a $5,000 rebate, the representative – the steward – would give only $500.

          And, I suppose, if one were to press [ZERO] for “representative”,  he was not picking up.  The customer would be routed to a call center in Ireland  ...  or  … Iceland.

[__03__] In the parable, the representative was in trouble.  Compliance and audit have caught up with him.  There is DNA evidence of his true income  and it is a crime scene. What would become of this criminal mind?

          Can he continue to climb?

          He observed, very accurately “I am not strong enough to dig and I am afraid to beg.”  In other words,  I cannot get another job. No one will take me.  I cannot – and will not – get off this ladder.   Moreover, no one will help me because I have cheated them.

          I had better change my ways. The numbers change.

          Change is good news.

          But, is this change equivalent to true Christian charity? Is it love? Or, is it just a way for him to continue his ascent up the ladder?

[__04__] In any case, 19% interest rates decline to 1.9%;  $500 rebates increase to $5,000.

         This is good news for his customers by whom he will, at least not be taken to court.

          Or, in the language of the parable, the customer’s liability of 100 hundred measures of olive oil decreases to 50; 100 kors of wheat decreases to 80.

          Unfortunately, AMAZON does not accept this a form of payment.

[__05__] The numbers change.

Change is good news.  But, is it charity? Is it love?

          Jesus, our Savior, speaks to us about one representative’s fiscal plan for salvation and to climb the ladder.

          It is an example, truly an analogy.

          Is our Lord, perhaps, also asking us this question. That is, is [FAIRNESS] the same as [LOVE] ? Is [HONESTY] the same as [GENEROSITY] ?   Of course, fairness and honest are elements of the love. They are rungs, they are steps on the ladder. They are the stations on the subway or train line. But, being “fair”  - and receiving fair treatment alone -- does not get us to the Grand Central Station or to the Everest-Summit of the Gospel.

          We are on a different ladder, a different climb.

For as we read – continuing in 1^st Peter – it would seem fair that we should suffer when we do evil…but is it not true that sometimes we suffer even when we have done good?

          I don’t think the representative gets this.  Maybe he would someday. At the moment, he is concerned with his portfolio not with his conscience.  As long he gets paid – and not punished – it’s all good.

          He is still on the ladder, and he seems to get a decent signal there too.

[__06__]  You and I, in our Christian journey, are on a different ladder.

          The representative is now, at least, following a path of decency and respect. It’s a ladder.  It’s a ladder of prudence for the representative.

          But just as parallel lines do not cross, it is a ladder that does not necessarily intersect with our Christian climb. The representative’s prudence will enable him to keep climbing.

[__07.01__]   And,  each of us climbs a ladder upward to help and serve others.

          For example, teachers – every day – in the classroom try to prepare their students, impart knowledge, give “fair” tests, grade impartially.

          This is prudence.

          It is also love?

          Do not many teachers do much more, sometimes enduring criticism, staying up late, staying after school or late to help not only the student who is trying but also the student who is not trying does not know how to make an effort?

[__07.02__]  Isn’t it necessary and prudent for parents, mothers, fathers and also grandparents to feed, to clothe, to shelter and also teach their children. 

And, our children will let us know when they need to be fed, to be clothed, to be sheltered, or to be taught.

          But, do not parents do much more – on the ladder of growth and development that is not noticed, not observed, or in the dark?

          This is the parallel ladder both inside the house and outside the house of generosity, charity, love.

[__07.03__]  And, to you, our young people, is it not good and necessary and prudent when you have good friendships, when you can be yourself – when you can do you with dignity and honesty?

          We can be ourselves this gives us tranquility, comfort – “you do you” …. “I do me” …. “he does himself” …. “she does herself” …

          Then again, are we not called to do more than love those who love us in return? Or to do good only so that it will be noticed by others.

          Jesus wants our goodness and integrity and honesty to be so habitual – so natural – so authentic – so generous – that even we do not notice sometimes. Or, as our Savior tells us, “do not let your left hand know what your right is doing.”  (Matthew 6: __ 3)

          We are called to a parallel ladder to the ladder of the representative who only wants comfort.

          We are called – and you are called – to lay down our lives for the classmate or teammate who seems to have few friends or connections.

          We are called – and you are called – to speak with the elderly person or relative in our families who might just be sitting off by themselves, to visit them, spend time with them.  I assure you – your aunts, uncles, grandparents are delighted to hear what you have to say.

          They are even more enchanted when  you take time to complete the transaction, to complete the conversation, to complete the relationship with your own physical and spiritual presence.

          In this regard, we climb together – not just because of a good deal or transaction – but because each of us trying to gain true wealth which cannot be counted or measured, but which can be given away each day in our own charity and love.  

[__fin__]