Pentecost 13C (Lectionary 23)
September 4, 2022
Good Shepherd, Wells, MN
Luke 14.25-33
There’s a “thing” blowing up the Internet called “Quiet Quitting,” that’s being leveled against young adults. It describes the phenomenon that the younger generations won’t do anything more in their work than the basic job requirements. It says that they refuse to go above and beyond the bare minimum to get the job done. Now, the younger people are saying they refuse to be exploited and that they want proper life-work balance. Furthermore, that they are not defined by their jobs and frankly that the older generation needs to get real about work. The older generation replies that they need to get over themselves and their sense of entitlement. Of course, those of us who have lived long enough realize there is nothing new under the sun. The generations have been bickering back and forth since Adam and Eve, including the nature of work.
Now, if Luke was writing his Gospel now, he might have Jesus accuse some Christians of “Quiet Quitting.” We have observed this summer that Luke’s Jesus is provocative. He is constantly challenging our understanding of who is in the kingdom of God, what the kingdom looks like, and what it means to follow the Way of Jesus. Just prior to today’s reading, one that the lectionary skips over, Jesus has delivered a pointed warning to the religious leaders of his day for ignoring God’s invitation into the kingdom. Through a parable, he opens the kingdom up to anyone and everyone, especially those deemed unworthy. Today, in the interest of transparency, Jesus reminds all of them what that kingdom life entails.
It is true Jesus uses hyperbole, or exaggerated speech, but that makes his words no less forceful for us. But it is also true that none of us has the resources to follow Jesus on our own. Also, Jesus is not saying, “If you give up all these things, then you can follow me.” Rather, Jesus is saying, “Because you have followed me, therefore this is how your life will be different. In other words, there are consequences to following the Way of Jesus. Following Jesus will have an impact on your life, and, I might add, that if your life isn’t different then you aren’t following Jesus and his death was unnecessary.
At Wednesday’s night worship, which is more informal and conversational, we offered some instances when we “Quiet Quit” as Christians and fail to follow Jesus. One person mentioned when we fail to be kind to someone who is unkind to us, especially when that person is a family member. Another said we don’t follow Jesus when we judge others without knowing them. A third said we aren’t going the Way of Jesus when we fail to speak up when someone misuses the Lord’s name. I added that we aren’t following Jesus when being a Democrat or Republican is more important than the Way of Jesus, when we identify ourselves as followers of Trump or Biden, not Jesus.
It’s ironic that “Quiet Quitting” has become such a kerfuffle as we celebrate Labor Day tomorrow, a time when we pay tribute to the accomplishments of American workers, which are many, to the development of our country. But perhaps this is a good thing, because it reminds us that although we are not defined by our work, it is through our vocations (or callings) where following the Way of Jesus makes an impact. Whether that vocation is as employee, employer, parent, grandparent, retiree, pastor, parishioner, teacher or student, how you do your work flows directly from your relationship with Jesus Christ as you follow him. Next week, we’ll hear good news about how God will go to great lengths to keep us following him. Meanwhile, Jesus knows this isn’t easy and it’s why he continues to give of himself to strengthen us. As you come forward to receive his body and blood in the bread and wine, know it’s the way to go and there is no other. Amen.
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