Wisdom and Mercy

Homily for Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Both the reading from the Book of Judges and from the Gospel of St. Matthew contain parables that confront the issues of leadership, expectation, and jealousy.

The parable from the Book of Judges is told by Jotham, the half-brother of Abimelech. Their father, Gideon, sired many sons. Abimelech slaughters seventy of his brothers in order to force the hand of the people to choose him as their leader. Guilty of fratricide and jealousy, he is least suited for the position of leadership. Jotham tells a tale of the various trees who are approached to be the leader of the forest. The olive tree refuses because it fears that it will lose its precious olive oil. The fig tree also demurs wishing to keep it sweet fruit. Likewise, the vine hoards its fruit which would be used to make wine. The thornbush represents destruction, emptiness, and false refuge, and accepts the position. Jotham warns the people not to choose Abimelech who, like the thorn bush, promises destruction, symbolized by the threat to fell the cedars of Lebanon.

The parable from the Gospel text speaks of worthiness through the demand to be paid more than those who came late in the day. They believe they deserve more, and they expect more as well.

There is deep cultural and political symbolism in these parables. They are not simply stories. Indeed, both parables hold up a mirror to society in general and to each of us personally. When we gaze into this mirror, the Scriptures hope that we will learn the wisdom that is necessary in choosing a wise leader as well as the fact that none of us deserves God’s mercy.

Using these parables as a focus for our prayer today, we may learn of God’s wisdom and God’s mercy. At the same time, we might learn a little about ourselves and how we might selfishly fail to share our gifts as leaders as well as our need for God’s mercy. Our celebration of the Eucharist today exposes us to both wisdom and mercy as this Sacrament is meant to nourish us in our attempt to live a Gospel-focused life.