Matthew 22:15-45: Mediocrity
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 26, 2019
There is no question that Jesus threatens the status quo of those who govern by deceit and lies; what may be less evident is that he brings even more pressure on those who wish to live in the middle world of mediocrity. Jesus threatens those who live in the shadow of power and who believe themselves safe from condemnation because they do not engage in the actual act of murder. They are happy to hold the coat of those who commit the act which they have quietly encouraged. These calm collaborators enable evil to masquerade as truth. They are people of the worst kind because they speak of justice but practice oppression through their “behind the scenes” influence.
When we look at these phrases from Matthew 22, we see what he is saying to us about the choices we make every day. Are our actions and beliefs hidden or open? Then the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech . . . They sent their disciples to him . . . Knowing their malice, Jesus said . . . When they heard this, they were amazed, and leaving him they went away . . . On that day the Sadducees approached him . . . When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching . . . When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together and one of them . . . tested him . . . No one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
While the great crowd watches, Jesus tells the story of Truth, and Life and Light. He seals his fate by outing the mediocrity and collaboration of those who wish so desperately to lead that they sacrifice truth and salvation for the group in exchange for promotion of self, for comfort and earthly authority. In his next chapter, Matthew will describe how the power structure denounces Jesus because he draws the people to himself not only with sensibility but with an authenticity in his words that heals as much as do his hands.
Where do we stand in this scene? Where do we find ourselves when we hear something that means we must risk a bit, change our ways a bit, put ourselves in danger a bit? In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, we see the fate of those who wish to take no side, to bring no notice to themselves, to live in quiet comfort while others suffer. We do not wish to be like the people of Laodicea to whom the Lord says: I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Jesus calls hypocrites from their quiet, snug lair. The people attest to true power in their movement away from insincerity toward the truth. They take a stand. They reject mediocrity. In all that we do and all that we say . . . so too, must take a stand. It is always risky and perhaps dangerous to align ourselves with Jesus; but in the end it is the only stand that matters.
A re-post from May 11, 2011.
Image from: http://froghime.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/spell-bound-masquerade/
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