Jesus told lots of stories, because people learn best when a story relates to things they are

familiar with. Hollywood knows this too: the good guys versus the bad guys, Death Stars get destroyed,

the Grinch changes his ways, or Barbie and Ken come to a better understanding. Bad endings leave us

disappointed; as in our own lives, we want things to work out.

While the “parables” of Jesus were appropriate for his time and culture, both his friends and

even strangers wanted to know what the future might hold – same as now. Times were very, very harsh,

living in a country of martial law when what little you had could be taken from you at any moment. The

possibility that Jesus might be the long-awaited new ruler in Palestine was a concept worth clinging to

(Yay! Kick out the Romans! Make us the world power! Set us free, free at last!).

The messages of Jesus always ended with: Stay on Task. Love one another as I have loved you,

take care of the widows and fatherless, provide for the strangers and aliens amongst you, don’t be

greedy and don’t worry about death. Yes, things will get worse and worse, nations will always be going

to war, but do not give up. The Book of Luke, chapter 12 especially mentions this, repeatedly. “Be ready

in action!” Jesus says, “Be trustworthy and sensible, managing the work I’ve given you to do until I

return. Happy are those workers found on task when the boss gets back! Watch for me, and you won’t

be taken by surprise.”

So, as Christ-followers, we watch, wait and stay focused, practicing the Jesus-y stuff: loving

others as ourselves, looking after God’s earth, caring for God’s creatures, having compassion and pity for

the less fortunate, appreciating our differences, and apologizing humbly when we mess up. All we have

is a lifetime, and we don’t know how long that is, so stay On Task!

Everyone is welcome at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church: Sunday service at 10 a.m. and coffee hour

afterwards. Soup Lunch Thursdays at 11:00.