The politics of resentment.

Haiku of generosity

A new parable

to illustrate the kingdom,

turning things on end.

Vineyard labourers

hired in groups through the day;

get the harvest in.

Some worked twelve hours,

some laboured for only one.

Pay them what is fair.

The last are paid first.

They get a full day’s wages.

A happy surprise!

The twelve-hour workers

rub hands in expectation;

but get basic wage.

The grumble is great.

Quit whingeing says the vintner;

it’s what we agreed.

If I deal freely

with my money, that’s my choice;

why should you complain?

Others might get more

than they deserve, that’s all right.

Be happy for them.

This story disturbs,

offends our sense of justice.

Best to ignore it.

(We all take offence

when those who don’t deserve it

receive more than us.)

© Ken Rookes 2017

the Kingdom of Heaven knows there is injustice

The social justice issue in today’s readings is the right to have employment, the right to earn a living wage and all that flows from being given the dignity to provide, the satisfaction of a job well done, the joy of creating. The Good News is that the Kingdom of heaven knows there is injustice, does something to correct the injustice and educates others in recognising injustice.

What is it that we most often grumble about? How often when we are grumbling does “It’s not fair!” come into it? It’s not fair that we have worked all day and they only had to work for one hour. It’s not fair that they are in effect getting paid for one hour’s work what we got paid for the entire day. Perhaps the latecomers had been sitting all day grumbling that they hadn’t been chosen and wondering how they were going to buy any food for their families for that day.

REv Julianne Parker

(for full sermon see sermons page)

The big complaint

 

This was the big complaint,
the one that had them all grumbling:
He has gone to be the guest
of one who is a sinner.
He’s hanging out with the ratbags,
the worthless ones;
the dodgy people that nobody cares about.
Taking seriously his message,
(he says it comes from God),
of life-changing love,
and grace without limit;
he takes it beyond the mere words
of earlier stories
and moves confidently
into disreputable reality.
Apparently unconcerned
by the great offence he has caused
to those who practise polite religion,
he claps his hands,
laughs in celebration
of the unexpected new beginning;
and calls it ‘salvation’.

© Ken Rookes 2013