“…for the children of this age are more shrewd…than are the children of the light.” Luke 16:8

Dear Friends:

Outrageous actions. Shocking thievery. Incredulous dishonesty. We read and hear about this kind of behavior daily. And, while we are a people of decency, what Jesus calls, “people of the light”, we know all too well of despicable actions people take to maintain power, gain authority and save face. But who would think that Jesus, of all people, would condone such behavior!? Well, it seems that in Luke 16:1-13, the toughest story in the gospel of Luke, Jesus keeps us twisting uncomfortably in our seat seemingly justifying fraudulent deceitfulness. Where is God’s grace?

Jesus tells of a manager with a rich man’s estate who is proving to be wasteful with the man’s assets. His alleged behavior cost him his job. Facing facts, the manager swiftly makes plans to save his butt. He cleverly schemes to put those who owe the rich man into his debt by reducing what they owe. Clearly, through his shrewd negotiations he cheats the rich man of his due payments. Rather than chastising his manager, the rich man praises him for his cunning tactics. Then, Jesus tops it all off by insulting us, the children of the light.

People who embrace the world with shrewd sneakiness are to be commended, especially when it comes to dealing with people. Selfish tricksters are just more clever than people of the light. This is not what we want to hear! We are faithful disciples of Jesus. We show up. We do our part. We say our prayers and promise to live a holy, sanctified life, loving our neighbor as ourselves. We’re in the annual giving season, Shining Our Light. We’re giving generously with our pledge promises. Don’t we go to the head of the line for our kingdom blessedness? Well, it seems Jesus doesn’t think so. Instead, Jesus just rubs our noses in our goodness. Soooo not fair. Why does Jesus spin this story to us?

Could it be that Jesus needs us to look deeper? Does Jesus want us to see that the richness of God’s kingdom is promised to the children of this age, to the shrewd, to those who, faithful with not just a little, but even with dishonest wealth, will also be faithful with much. Truthfully, while we may profess to be children of the light, are we not also children of this age? Maybe it is that Jesus knows us well enough and loves us so deeply that, as children of this age, an age of a tactful, self-aware, ambitious, judicious, piercing, polarizing population, he’s meeting us exactly where we are with his redeeming love. Maybe Jesus tells the story of the shrewd manager to show that he’s with us, even as we turn and twist the norms and bend the truths. That in some very peculiar way, Jesus comes to us in our wrongs and brings the goodness of his light. That in being somewhat faithful with little, perhaps we’ll be even more faithful with much. Jesus’ grace working in us is not always as clearly identifiable as we would like.

There’s a modern day parable of the small town business person who learned through the grapevine of a large company coming to town. The business person quickly began working with lenders to borrow money. Then, he bought land, invested in new developing business that would compliment the large company. Not knowing of what was to come, the townspeople ridicule the business person for his extravagant folly. Eventually, the announcement of the company coming to town opens the eyes of so many, bringing them into the light. The once seemingly conniving business person of the age now is a person of the light!

Come Sunday, good people of the light and hear the good words of Jesus from Luke’s gospel. What does Jesus want you to learn from the lessons of the day?

Episcopal 101 for Adults begins Sunday evening at 5:00-7:00 p.m. If you’re interested in learning more about The Episcopal Church, becoming confirmed, received or reaffirmed in the Church; or if you’d like to simply know more about who and what we are as The Episcopal Church, this class is for you. We’ll meet three Sundays, September 22 from 5:00-7:00; October 6th from 6:30-8:00; and October 20th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Let Lisa LeJune know you’re interested in one or all classes! admin@epiphanyec.org

By now, you’ve received your Shining Our Light envelope. Thank you for giving your pledge commitment prayerful consideration. Make a promise by offering it up in worship on Giving Sunday October 20th; or through the online convenient site: EpiphanyEC.org/pledgenow. Questions? Come to Celebration Sunday on September 29th and “eat your way through the ministries” following worship. Learn about the many ways God shines through Epiphany. The more we learn, the more we’re able to make sound investments. Thank you for Shining Your Light with your generous giving!

As always, it is a privilege and a delight to serve with you.

Many blessings,

Hillary