Parable 12 - The Choice

Coming into the breakroom, Amara faced the decision of which table she would sit at. The small bank she worked for had two tables in this cozy space. One of the tables had no one at it. The other table had two people eating lunch and chatting with each other, but those two people were from the other side. Since she had been hired a year and a half ago, she made it a habit to sit with other people, not to be a loner, but this was a difficult choice.

The comfortable thing to do would be to ignore those already in the room and sit by herself. In 20 minutes, at the shift break, someone else would likely join her—someone from her side. It amazed Amara how divided the bank had become, almost a 50-50 split, right down political lines.

The man and woman talking were not the most vocal about their political views, but Amara heard them talking about a recent indictment. They were relishing the anxiety of the accused, saying that justice was finally being served.

From Amara’s perspective, the indictment was anything but just.

The woman looked up and gave Amara a quick smile. It seemed like an invitation to come sit with them—an invitation to enter the lion’s den.

It flashed through her head and lingered briefly in her heart that Jesus had accepted invitations to dine with all kinds of people—the sinners, the tax collectors, the Pharisees, the common folk, the sick, and the lame.

Amara chose to sit at the table with the two people. She walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

The man said to her, “How are you doing, boss?”

It was said in a playful tone, but it was also technically correct. Amara was the vice president of community relations, and the man was a loan officer, and the woman a teller.

“I’m well. Thanks for asking. I’m glad to have a chance to eat my tuna fish sandwich that my husband made for me.”

A couple of moments later, the man asked Amara, “What do you think about the indictment?”

Fortunately, she had just taken a bite of her sandwich, and she indicated that she was chewing, which gave her time to think.

Her mind raced. Should she say that she didn’t like to comment on politics? Should she say the indictment was wrong? Should she just change the subject? She prayed, “What do I say, Lord?”

Instantly she got an answer: “Just be kind.”

Amara swallowed and said, “I think it’s hard to know what all is involved in the indictment. I definitely think people who are acting illegally need to be stopped, but I find the hatred of people to be wrong. Taking delight in someone else’s misery is not something I subscribe to. There are families involved. Children are being harassed. I want us to do better as a nation.”

Meditation

In the Gospel today, a voice from the cloud speaks to the disciples and tells them to listen to the Beloved Son, Jesus. This is not a one-time event or request. It’s an ongoing invitation to try to listen to what Jesus has to say to us.

Amara’s situation is all too common. We all have to decide what we are going to say when others express strong and sometimes hurtful opinions different from our own.

A silent prayer before we speak is always of value—one in which we take the time to listen and discern what God may be saying to us. Little messages often come to us when we pray in this way. For instance, just after the voice comes from the cloud, the disciples are frightened. It must have been overwhelming, and it is easy to imagine that they are praying and asking for help. Jesus says to them, “Do not be afraid.”

Take that message to heart. On your Lenten journey, don’t forget to pray and listen to what God is saying to you. Then have the courage to follow those instructions from the Beloved Son. When we really want to listen, prayer is a great place to start.

Water the seed and ask yourself...

What is my prayer for today?