Parable 39 - United

Grandpa’s funeral should have been a time when the whole family was united as they celebrated his life. It had been five weeks since he had fallen and broken his hip. It wasn’t a bad break, just a fracture that was repaired with three screws. Yet he never recovered.

Because of her schedule, and the fact that she and her husband, Sam, lived the closest to Grandpa’s house, Gertrude was the one who spent the most time with him the last month of his life. Actually, the last five years of his life, ever since his wife had died. In those final days, Gertrude made sure his sheets were clean, that he had something to eat when he was hungry, and she read books to him when no one else was around.

The problem was she was a sister-in-law, not a daughter. Now that he had passed, while the rest of the family was paralyzed in grief, Gertrude put together the slideshow of his life. To ease the burden on others, when no one else could decide, she picked the caterer and the meal for the after-funeral reception. Nobody knew what readings to pick for the funeral, but Gertrude did.

She did all of this as a tribute to him, but things fell apart when Gertrude started telling the grandkids to wear some purple to honor Grandpa—purple being the color of royalty. Gertrude always thought Grandpa was a kind of king, because he was so wise and kind-hearted.

The other siblings forced a meeting with Sam. “You have to stop her,” they said. “If we give her another inch, she is going to dig the grave herself and put him in the ground. Who does she think she is, anyway? She’s not even family.”

“She is family!” Sam shouted.

“Well, she’s not our family.”

“She is being helpful. And Dad loved her for it,” Sam said.

This was the day before the funeral. Sam found a quiet moment as Gertrude was putting together table setting pieces. “Honey, my siblings are upset. They think you are taking over. You need to slow down.”

“The funeral is tomorrow,” Gertrude said.

“The funeral home will take care of any details we miss.”

Gertrude emotionally said, “You know, I loved him, too.”

“Of course, you did.” Sam embraced Gertrude, and the two of them wept.

Meditation

In our scripture today, the chief priests and the Pharisees are plotting to kill Jesus. They need to get rid of him, or he’ll ruin everything they have in place. It’s easy to see how wrong they are, but it is helpful to put ourselves in their place. We would like to think that we would make better choices than them, but it is likely we wouldn’t.

As we are about to begin Holy Week and finish this Lenten series, let’s remember that Jesus taught us to love our enemies and not to judge others. When we notice someone in scripture who seems terrible, try praying about the ways you might actually be like that person. Even the Pope asks for prayers because he is a sinner.

Gertrude is trying hard to be a good person, to help others, and yet her efforts are annoying the very family she is trying to unite.

Family dynamics are often difficult, not just around funerals, but also around Holy Week and Easter.

• How many religious services are we going to?
• Should the grandkids be more dressed up?
• Who’s hosting dinner?
• And who is deciding the menu?

The chances for conflict are numerous, and it is likely that there will be pain mixed into the joy. Jesus is familiar with the pain and the joy. Unite with Him this Holy Week. And take a step back, slow down, and unite with your family, too.

Water the seed and ask yourself...

Who do I despise that actually reminds me of myself?