The Holy Sherlocks, November 15, 2020

In times together and times apart, we celebrate God’s presence in all creation, in stories of our past and dreams for the future, our despair and praying.

Central to the texts that close out the final season of the church year is the promise that the liberating spirit of God, who breathes life into all creation, remains at work. This week, a parable about three servants invites us to consider how we invest ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically in God’s reign of justice and peace, and embrace the joy found in trusting the one to whom we lift our eyes.

November 15 – Rejecting Fear – Embracing Joy

Matthew 25:14–30 Three servants make choices about how to invest the “talents” left in their care.

Read Matthew 25:14–40 or Listen to the audio story “Hide and Seek” or gather around as someone tells “The Story of Three Workers.”

Jesus teaches us that God has given us life and what we do and say can make a difference in our world. Sometimes, we feel afraid, or we worry we will fail. Then we might choose to play it safe and not share the love of God that is within us. But Jesus assures us that when we work with others and take a risk for God, God’s love increases in our world.

• Think of someone in your church, school, or town who is using her or his abilities to share God’s love in a significant way. Call this person for an informal conversation about the work she or he is doing.

When Jesus told parables, he used examples from everyday living – things that would have been familiar to his audience. People thought deeply about what each parable meant for their own lives. The parables would have been interpreted differently.

Some might hear the story of the three workers as a parable about greed and how those who have much get more, while those who have little are left to suffer. In this interpretation, the landowner is a harsh person who takes what is not his to take. Profit is all that matters. The third worker is aware that the landowner is harsh and takes what is not his to take. The third worker chooses not to participate in ways that hurt others.

Watch and listen to Amrita’s Tree

In the face of Amrita’s resistance, the woodcutters could not bring themselves to obey their leader. Amrita and the women and children of the village saved the woodlands.

Talk together about ways we might invest ourselves in God’s reign of justice and peace?

Gratitude cards Think of the many ways people in your community invest their time, lives, and gifts in acts of compassion and justice in and for the community. Create greeting cards that express gratitude for all they do. It may not be easy to visit at this time, but we can lift spirits by mailing our cards. You might also leave a note on your mailbox, thanking postal workers for all they do to helping the community and families stay connected.

Print this week’s children’s activity leaflet, which includes “The Story of the Three Workers” and two activities.

During the week

Start each day be naming one choice you will make to reflect God’s love, saying “I will…”

Listen and sing along to the song “Be God’s” (available here for purchase and download).

Visit Lection Connection, November 15, for current events that connect with this week’s scriptures.

Prayer for each day

Name items around your house that could be shared with others. For example, a table is shared by hosting others with a meal. A game or toy is shared with others by having a play date. A yard is shared with others by having a neighbourhood ball game.
Thank God for the gifts you have been given and open yourself to new ways God might be calling you to share them.