Dear Partner in Preaching, Do you like surprises? I’ll be honest, I’m a little conflicted about them. Actually not all that conflicted, as I really like surprising others – with an unexpected visit or gift, for instance – but I really don’t like being surprised myself. A bit hypocritical, perhaps, but there you go. I think it’s that I like being prepared, feeling more or less ready for what’s coming, and surprises undermine that kind of confidence. I ask this question because I think this passage turns on the matter of surprises. Notice that both those identified as sheep and those named goats are surprised by what Jesus says....

Thanks so much! I’ve very much enjoyed the ongoing discussion via the comments and thought I’d try to add to that conversation via another brief post. So…a few things that your comments have occasioned in me: Joy. One of the things that struck me upon reading this passage later and in light of some of our discussion was the repeated invitation, “Enter into the joy of your master.” It strikes me again that neither of the first two servants were afraid of the landowner like the third one was. They, in fact, were willing to go out and trade – that is, risk – the enormous wealth entrusted to them. (One talent represents about 15...

Thank you, thank you, thank you. We had such a good time last Thursday celebrating our wonderful community and its commitment to diversity and integration and community partnerships. And the food was fantastic. While I didn’t win the coveted platinum spatula, I had a great time meeting many, many neighbors and community leaders. And, to be honest, I was really quite touched by the number of folks who contributed. Your gifts and your support made a difference to our community – all total we raised more than $10,000 for three great institutions – but it also made an impression on me. Thank you. I’ve left the original...