Things that go bump in the night – July 2
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 134, 135; Num. 23:11-26; Rom. 8:1-11; Matt. 22:1-14
As the oldest child, I would often be sent on errands upstairs to gather something that was needed while my mom was cooking dinner. Inevitably, it would be around twilight and prior to my parents turning on lights. We lived in this old, turn-of-the-century two-story house with 15-foot ceilings and creaky floors. The wooden floors upstairs had not been refinished, and the hallway had no windows. The house was spooky sometimes. Imagining a ghost or rambling spirit was easy within those walls. I remember that sense of looming peril as I went into my parents’ shadowy bedroom. Upon grabbing the fingernail clippers or other sundry request, I would blindly dash with all my might down the dark hallway, trying desperately to reach some beacon of light and safety. I can still feel my heart racing wildly and that lurching sensation in my stomach. I can see my nine-year-old fingers extended, grasping for the cool railing of the metal spiral staircase, as light from the kitchen filtered upward. “I made it,” I would think, with a sigh of relief.
It may be no surprise, then, that the images of being thrown into the outer darkness, surrounded by shrieking cries and grinding teeth, laid out for us by Jesus in today’s reading from Matthew set me on edge. I think I am still afraid of the dark. So, join me as we take a deep breath, fumble for a light switch, and look around at where we are in this passage for a moment.
Jesus is in the temple and teaching folks who have gathered. The chief priests and other people in authority come to question him: “Who authorized your actions and what messages are you perpetuating here?” Jesus responds with three parables that we’ve heard this week. Each condemns the sitting Jewish religious leaders, by shining light on the darkness that enshrouds them: the hypocrisy of saying “Yes, Lord,” and not following through (Matthew 21:28-32); the greed of hoarding the treasures of God’s vineyard without gratitude or generosity (21:33-41); and, the arrogance of sitting at the bountiful feast within the kingdom of heaven without the posture of humility and righteousness (22:1-14). Jesus is shining the light of God upon the darkness that lingers over aspects of the religious institution at that time. He names the darkness to open their eyes to God’s truth, so that they may repent.
The Messiah comes to us, too, telling us stories of how we have strayed…so that we might see the light of overflowing grace beckoning us to a place of hope and warmth, delivering us from the “ghoulies, ghosties, and long leggity beasties, and things that go bump in the night”. As we cower or dash about in this time of darkness and fear, we may not think to grab for the light switch, but know that Jesus is alongside you, guiding you to spaces of hope.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What were your childhood fears?
How are your fears now different?
Daily Challenge
Name one thing that frightens you today. Think of an image that defines it. Pray that God will shine a light upon that fear and open your eyes to a new way to respond to that situation.