Taking the Risk of Failure

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Proper 5, the week of the second Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrase for reflection in today’s reading:

11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,* and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.”

. . . .

26“I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

(You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.)

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 970)

AMPsalm 7 2; PM Psalm 119;73-96

Deut. 31.30-32; 14; 2 Cor.11:21b-33; Luke 19-11-27

Today we celebrate the Feast of Basil . (See below.)

David’s Reflections

W. H. Auden writes of failure and risk: "There is no joy or success without risk and suffering, and those who try to avoid suffering fail to obtain the joy, but get the suffering anyway. Finally, and above all, one must not be anxious about ultimate success or failure but think only about what it is necessary to do at the present moment."

In today’s Gospel, three managers receive money from their employer. One multiplies it ten-fold and the second five-fold. The third had not read Auden’s injunction and for fear of failure took no risk. He preserved what he had been given and returned it.

In Jesus’ ministry, this could have been a parable about Israel’s poor stewardship of her heritage and Scriptures. Now that the fulfiller of Israel’s hopes was before them, they had so poorly grasped the light that prepared for his coming that they were unable to receive him. And, they had turned inward on themselves in preoccupation with ritual purity and boundaries rather than becoming the kind of missionary force envisioned, for example, in passages from Isaiah 40-66.

The setting for the parables in the period after resurrection is different. No longer are the parables read as focusing on Jesus’ initial appearance to Israel. The early church, after the resurrection reapplied the parables to Jesus’ return at the end of the Age. For Luke, the immediate application to his readers is not Israel’s reception of Messiah but the delay that has occurred in Jesus’ return. Several decades have elapsed since the resurrection, and the expectation that Jesus would immediately return has begun to wane. How did the church deal with this delay? For Luke, the answer can be found in parables like this one. Faithfulness and risk-taking endeavors in mission are the proper responses.

This parable challenges us as the church to take the measure of all we have been given. We tend to get focused on what we need and lack. This parable challenges us to be aware of the tremendous assets we have—the Christian message, the Scriptures, the presence of the Spirit of Christ, our financial and material resources, the gifted people committed to the mission of the church. We are challenged to take the measure of those resources and to take the risks involved in radical engagement and mission in the world.

As individuals, the challenge remains the same. Rather than getting focused on our weaknesses, our fears, and our inabilities, we are challenged to take the measure of all that we have been given. Can we gather ourselves and throw ourselves into options for personal growth, worship, service, and witness, disdaining the prospects of failure and suffering for the sake of having taken the risk and thrown ourselves into those options for the sake of Christ our Savior and those who hunger and thirst for his saving love? Can we stretch toward the possibilities rather than being bound by fears of risk and failure?

Collect of the Day, Proper 5 The Sunday closest to June 8

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today we celebrate the Feast Basil the Great, theologian (died 1 Jan 379 CE. June 14 is the date of his ordination as bishop in 370 CE.)

http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Basil_Great.htm

Collect of the Feast of Basil

Almighty God, who has revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Basil of Caesarea, we may continue steadfastly in the confession of this faith, and remain constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; ever one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Guidance

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 100)

For the Unity of the Church

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 255)

A Prayer for Light

Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. (BCP, 111)

A Collect for Mission

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 816-817)

Daily Office Gospel, Luke 19:11-27

11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,* and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” 14But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” 15When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 16The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.” 17He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” 18Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” 19He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” 20Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” 22He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” 24He said to the bystanders, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” 25(And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten pounds!”) 26“I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.”

Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer