Unforgivable

       As a preacher I think it may be a universal truth that one always hopes that the words uttered from our mouth will sway, convince, elevate or inspire the listener. We hope to convey some truth or some pearl of wisdom. In fact, sometimes there is a temptation to convey all the wisdom we have all in one sermon which is not good at all. In faith, we hope that the words we speak are conveyances of the message that really comes from the Holy Spirit using our life, words and knowledge as the base. Even though we'd like every person to remember our sermons, some of them are perhaps not worthy of remembering. Some of our messages miss the mark and are not inspiring. I myself can recall only one sermon our venerable Priest Thomas gave after so many years of him being with us in community. I hope you are gentle with my preaching and my blogging!

      Thomas had asked us right up front to think of the worst possible crime or sin we could commit. The ensuing sermon helped us to realize, to know, that God would forgive us.  It was for this very reason that Jesus willingly allowed himself to be nailed, strung and hung on a giant wooden cross.  I can think of many situations and people that I might wonder, 'would God forgive that?'  Tough call. But God's love and forgiveness is not necessarily our idea of love and forgiveness. God's love and compassion is not based on our worldly notions. God's judgments are not ours. In today's passage from Matthew, the landowner is enormously generous to the point that some feel they have been cheated. Will you feel cheated if God shows love, compassion and forgiveness for someone you may have deemed a hopeless evil sinner without possibility of redemption?

        Let's look back on the story of the Prodigal son. How did the 'faithful' brother feel about the errant brother's returned home? The sinful son who was 'rewarded' with a party and the killing of the prized 'fatted calf'.  Are we that angry, jealous son if God were to chose to forgive the unforgivable? 

       Don't get me wrong, I don't think God will get in the way of some human justice, we do have that authority. But as far as a persons soul and eternal salvation? I think God is totally forgiving and loving.

       I recall a book from long ago, called Good Goats. I highly recommend it. It is all about forgiveness and may challenge our notions of how much and when God can forgive. Surprisingly, God has control of his power of love and forgiveness and our human rules may not apply as much as we might like.

Matthew 20:1-16

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’