The latest issue of SIERRA magazine lifted up a representative controversy: some were decrying the National Park Service for wiring “the wilderness” in order to increase cell-phone coverage. These were folks who wanted to get away from anything that would distract them from the loneliness of nature; as opposed to those who wanted to keep in touch with family & friends. This relates to today’s mask/non-mask decision of many who don’t really care if they’re spreading COVID or not, long as they’re safe themselves. The weekend’s Bible readings won’t be popular with rugged individualists–all three address the formation and responsibility of living within a community.
The Old Testament contains the story of the parting of the sea in order that the Hebrews could pass across to begin their Exodus wanderings; and vindictively includes the drowning of the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14:19-31). Please be careful to not have a tailgate-party of “We won, You lost!”: these Egyptians had wives & children… The story is included as a formative narrative for the community that would become Israel, and as an acknowledgement that YHWH rescues the oppressed in whatever alien land they live.
Paul’s letter to the Romans continues to exhort people he’s never met to live in creative community with each other and within the (Evil?) Empire (14:1-12). The core of it to me is v.7: “We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves “. This is more than toleration, it involves extreme hospitality of mind as well as opening of our personal space! It seems that we’re all in it together, irregardless of how the world judges our worth. It’s hard to see those different from me through God’s eyes… Can we live in a community of faith with all these diverse backgrounds? “In Christ there is no place for self-centeredness, because as Christians our entire life ultimately is centered on Christ….We are all accountable not only to each other but ultimately to God.” (Jeanette A. Good in SOJOURNERS, A 4:67)
Our Gospel continues Matthew’s attempt to form his mostly-Jewish readers into a Christian community (18:21-35). This parable of Jesus, found only in this Gospel, is the story of the slave who owed his master more money than he could ever repay. The kind-hearted master heard the slave’s tearful begging–and forgave him the WHOLE AMOUNT. Outside, this same slave encountered another who owed him a relatively small debt–and he had him arrested and thrown into debtor’s prison! The Master found out about this and angrily had him tortured ’til he could pay the whole thing (never). An analogy about mercy and forgiveness, which Matthew remembered to remind us about the need for these in community-building. Forgiveness is a conscious attempt to let go of past abuses, and thus not be trapped in our own litany of resentment.
These readings are important in this high-tech age. Many of us prefer texting to phoning, Zooming to in-person meetings, virtual church services to face-to-face confession. It’s a matter of power: if we don’t want to be in community, just push a button and they’re gone! Despite wi-fi, I believe that God is calling us to be part of all the others–in Christ.
In the process of unfolding Horace Brown King
My encounter with Lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
My Blog 
I understand your blog for the most part. We have a responsibility to others and even those we don’t actually know, because we are all in community. Therefore, out of respect for the other person we wear a mask. Thank you, Horace for your latest blog.