The 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 21A), Sept. 25, 2005

BCP: Ezekiel 18:1-4,25- 32; Psalm 25:1-14 or 25:3-9; Phil. 2:1-13; Matt. 21:28-32

RCL: Exod. 17:1-7; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 or 25: 1-8; Phil. 2:1-13; Matt. 21:23-32

The title is a jarring line from the cult movie, “The Princess Bride.” When the grandfather had just related a disastrous turn of events in the romance between Wesley and the lovely Princess Buttercup, the grandson voices the all-too-familiar “But that’s not fair!” Then the grandfather gave this wise response.

The thing about this complaint is that it gives us someone to blame. Parents get it most of the time, but God has his share as well. If our memories are honest and clear, we can recall our carping and complaining to our parents. But when God is to blame, the whining ascends to levels unmatched!

Look who we find complaining to God in these lessons — the House of Israel and the Pharisees. These are the very ones who found John the Baptist embarrassing. But check out the ones who buy into John and make it into the kingdom — tax collectors and prostitutes, those Jesus described as marginalized by the Church and by society. Neither objected to John’s teaching, and both get into the kingdom ahead of the churchy ones.

So how come they get it and we have such a hard time with what is fair? The lessons give us two answers:

The first is they were willing to be taught. Today’s psalm tells us whom God teaches — those who come to him without their own preconceptions and expectations of God. He shows his ways to one specific group — humble people who are open to what God tells them. Those who have little to say to the Almighty are better able to hear what he reveals about himself.

The second answer is to observe what God himself has undergone. If he has experienced something, then it cannot be called unfair, right?

Suffering, denigration, false accusations, pain, humiliation, lies, torture — all are wrapped up in the great hymn of Philippians 2. These are experiences of the Son of God. That doesn’t make them good, and we may still find them odious. But if God has known them, then what is fair needs a larger horizon, a wider perspective.

And that is found in the hope and the certainty that this world is not all there is. What Paul refers to as Christ being highly exalted, what Jesus refers to as the kingdom of God, what the psalmist calls God’s paths of love and faithfulness — there will be a day when these will be all we know. Then, probably not until then, what is fair will make sense.

Look It Up

What are the spiritual characteristics of the person described in Psalm 25? What is God’s special relationship with such a person?

Think About It

When the phrase “That’s not fair” seems appropriate, is there something Christ experienced similar to the circumstance that provoked the statement?

Next Sunday

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22A), Oct. 2, 2005

BCP: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80 or 80:7-14; Phil. 3:14-21; Matt. 21:33-43

RCL: Exod. 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 or Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 19 or 80: 7-14; Phil. 3:4b-14; Matt. 21:33-46