Scripture: Judges
4:1-7 and Psalm
123 • Zephaniah
1:7, 12-18 and Psalm
90:1-8, (9-11), 12
1
Thessalonians 5:1-11 • Matthew
25:14-30
This
week we have scripture and lessons concerning time and how we should
meaningfully use that time. The Greek language has two words for time, Καιρός (kairos) and Χρόνος (chronos). In rhetoric, Καιρός means the passing
instant when an opening appears which must be driven through with force
if success is to be achieved. In Christian theology, Καιρός means "the appointed time in the purpose of God", the time when God acts. Καιρός is timeless, eternal, whereas Χρόνος is "chronological," and is pictured in Greek mythology by Cronos who represented
the destructive ravages of time which consumed all things, a concept
that was definitely illustrated when the Titan king devoured the
Olympian gods — the past consuming the future, the older generation
suppressing the next generation.
The
Psalmist says, "Teach us to count our days, that we may have a wise
heart." In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul tells us to be
alert, to have no concern about the seasons, but to prepare for the day
of the Lord's coming, building up and encouraging one another, and to
have faith, love and hope.
Jesus's
parable of the talents tells us that the King entrusts his servants
with talents, goes away for a long time, and returns to see what they
have done with their talents. Talents are not what we might think. What
does Jesus mean when he uses the words talents? Is God keeping score, or
time? See The Rev. Charles Hoffacker's "Trust, not Fear." The Rev. Canon Frank Logue also discusses talents, and taking risks. See his "Love is Risky Business."
What are we to do with our "talents"? See Steve Goodier's "All Used Up."
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