Deputy Humes takes a break from crime fighting to impact the life of one of her young crime fighters on Storybook Day during Spirit Week at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne.
Photo couresy of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 28
Year C
In Luke 21:8, Jesus warns his disciples, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them” (emphasis added).
During this last week of the earthly life of our Lord, words are precious, commands are few, for he is readying his disciples and preparing them for coming trials.
He speaks of being led astray. This seems like a conscious, willful departure. Within this brief warning, Jesus speaks of those who actually will be leading people astray, and also those who are being led astray.
What actually causes people to be led astray? Perhaps:
- They are like sheep without a shepherd and will follow anyone anywhere.
- There is no depth of soil, so the Word of God was never planted deep enough in their hearts to endure the trials of life.
- The seductive pull to Madison Avenue religion, easy answers, and media-driven productions clouds their perception.
- Promises of cheap grace, a prosperity gospel or motivational storytelling distract them from the true call of faith, repentance, the surrender of their will and the radical message of transforming love.
Holcombe
We must remember that those who led people astray in the ancient world were all religious people. They were learned scholars, rule-driven Pharisees, and Torah-bound Sadducees. Those who maintained the temple, collected the temple tax, exchanged currency and merchandised acceptable offerings all actually led those seeking faith from the faith. Who can forget the millstone warnings of Jesus about those who put stumbling blocks in the way of the little ones (Matt. 18:6) and lead them astray?
In my early formative years, I was blessed to have someone who led me to the faith, not away from it. He was a humble parish priest with a childlike faith, who loved Jesus, loved the Word of God and just happened to be an Episcopalian. I followed him because I knew that he was following the Good Shepherd.
The Rev. Canon Scott T. Holcombe is the Canon to the Ordinary for Congregational Development for the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.