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.
