The Grace of Risk Taking
- davidwperk
- Dec 22, 2023
- 7 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, December 22, 2023
The week of the third Sunday in Advent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 939)
AM Psalm 40, 54; PM Psalm 51
Zech. 7:8-8:8; Rev. 5:6-14; Matt. 25:14-30
Ember Day
Today we celebrate the Feast of Henry Budd. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Jesus’ parable in today’s reading presents us with several characters, one of whom was particularly risk averse. He proved a poor steward of what he had received. What have we done with what has been entrusted to us? Our health, intelligence, time, opportunities, relationships, abilities, our grasp of the light God has shined upon us—all have been entrusted to us. As Paul remarked in 1 Corinthians 4, “What do we have that we have not received?”
Israel had been entrusted with a rich and promising heritage. The stories of Abraham, Moses, David,, the prophets, and the heroes of the faith contain a remarkable legacy of revelation and experience of God. (The writer of Hebrews summarizes that legacy in a lively chronicle in chapter 11.) The preaching of the prophets gave Israel a basis for hope that their present distress would give way to future deliverance.
In Jesus’ parable, those who were resisting his ministry probably were the focus in the behavior of the third person, the one who took no risks with what had been entrusted to him. Those among his people who were resisting his ministry had the same religious legacy as did the Twelve and others who responded positively to Jesus, yet their response had been one of incredulity and rejection. Jesus’ followers risked everything to engage with and follow Jesus.
Again, in Jesus’ context this parable referred to Israel’s response to the coming of the Kingdom of God in his person, words, and actions.. After the resurrection, the church heard this parable in relation to Jesus’ second coming at the end of this age. The journey the master took after entrusting them with his wealth was seen as the period of time between Jesus’ resurrection/ascension and his return.
We have a responsibility to make full use of the gifts, the spiritual legacy, and the opportunities given us. The master in Jesus’ parable affirmed the two who had invested the funds entrusted and doubled them. When someone I respect affirms me, it encourages me and fills me with joy. Would it not fill us with joy to hear God says “well done,” to know that God feels proud of us and of our level of responsibility personally and as a church and as individuals.
We have the choice of which characters in this parable to emulate. May it not be the one-talent person, governed by fear of failure. Being a person of faith frees me to take risks to put my gifts and resources on the line in God’s service. Failure brings the grace of God in forgiveness and the learnings that only failure can afford us. If I am governed by fear, I will look back on life with regret for all the tough, risky choices I did not make and all the risky actions I avoided.
Years ago, I read Bruce van Blair’s A Year to Remember: Sources We Forget. Now out in a second edition, this ringing testimony from an alcoholic clergy person in recovery teems with profound, lucidly written insight. This quote at the end of his chapter on love keeps ringing in my ears. It came to mind as these reflections unfolded.
Love goes out on a limb. Love spends the whole wad. Love goes for it all. Love burns bridges, kills the fatted calf, sells all it has for the pearl of great price. Love is a risky, daring, caution-to-the wind sort of thing. . . . Love goes for it all, dares the loss of all, puts all of its weight on what it cares about and believes in--not life ignorant of realities or in scorn of consequences. *
What risk are we being called to take today? What risks have we been avoiding for fear of failure? Will we live to regret our self-saving and risk-avoiding behaviors? This parable says we will. We can ask for God’s grace to deal with our risk-averse fears and the courage to act in the face of those fears.
* [Bruce Van Blair, A Year to Remember: Sources We Forget, 2d ed. (Port Townsend, PA: Xlibris, 2004), p. 222.]
Collect of the Day, The third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you an the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 212)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Henry Budd, priest (died 2 Apr 1875).
Collect of the Feast of Henry Budd
Creator of light, we thank you for your priest Henry Budd, who carried the great treasure of Scripture to his people the Cree nation, earning their trust and love. Grant that his example may call us to reverence, orderliness and love, that we may give you glory in word and action; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 97)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 280)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 25:14-30
14 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” 21His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” 23His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 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
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