An Old, Old Story

An Old, Old Story

(A poetic reflection on Matthew 20:17-28)

Daily Office Readings for Friday, November 26, 2021: AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12),  Isa. 24:14-23; 1 Pet. 3:13-4:6; Matt. 20:17-28

We hear this tale

time and time again

and so often, our thoughts

wander to the audaciousness

of James’ and John’s mom’s request,

and their chutzpah.

Yet…

When one gets right down to it,

how many times 

have I naively been just as audacious

in the times when I have insisted to God

that I was perfectly capable

of handling what no human being can handle?

 

How many times

have I advocated

for my own family over others?

 

How many times

have I been so unaware

of the enormity of everything around me

and insisted I knew exactly what to do?

 

I suspect this happens so often

out in the world

that God gave up being annoyed

a long time ago,

and instead took pity on us…

And, as wise parents often do,

let it go and waited 

until we came back,

sheepishly,

hat in hand, saying,

“You know, I should have paid more attention.

I’m listening now…and I’ll listen better this time.”

Maria Evans splits her week between being a pathologist and laboratory director in Kirksville, MO, and gratefully serving in the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri , as Interim Priest at Trinity-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hannibal, MO. 

 

Past Posts
Categories