Spiritual Musical Chairs and Misplaced Measurement

I love the teaching of Jesus. I don't always get it. Sometimes I think I've got it... and then for some reason, the world shifts and I'm left wondering how I could have ever held the opinion I have. This has led me to quote parables and other teachings to people less often. I know that is unnerving for some of you. But allow me the benefit of the doubt. Let me explain.

Most of the time, when someone quotes a parable to me or a friend, it is done in an attempt to solve a problem or unsettled issue I have. The "quoter" either believes that they have a complete grasp of the situation I'm involved in (which is almost always do not), or the "quoter" can not personally allow for ambiguity or unsettled issues to remain because of their own discomfort. The parable becomes the anticodote to the problem. (And of course all problems must be solved.)
The third reason a "quoter" quotes a parable to others is born out of an oversimplification of spirituality. Transformation generally equates to behavior modification (take Andy's Confession post previous to this one as an example) or transformation equates to a perceived togetherness.

It seems to me, from off the top of my head, that Jesus uses parables to create problems, not solve them. He turns traditional pat answer religiosity on it's head. He rarely gives a straight answer to anything. He rarely solves problems in his teaching... (he does interestingly enough, physically)

I'm also not so sure that Jesus was interested in measuring the way we do.
For instance. He says "the first will be last, and the last will be first." So we spend our lives trying to be last, so we can be first. Today I was good, I put others first all day. Today I'm last. YEAH! That means I'm first. uh oh... I'm first now. Do you get what I'm saying? So we play this I'm first, no, last, no, first, no, last, first, last... like musical chairs... We pray we'll be in the last chair when the music stops (and Jesus returns).... then God will be happy. But this is ridiculous.

Another mis-measurement of "Quoters" is the judgement that is often associated with it.
It seems it's difficult to quote a parable to someone for any of the above reasons without judging them in some way. Which coincidently is the exact reason most of the parables were spoken against...

It seems the parables should bring us to our knees... humility and graditute are the outcomes for parables.

and if you are going to quotes them, these should be the primary characteristics of the "quoter"... if you can pull this off... then cool... I'm not sure I can at this time...

Just some thoughts. I could be wrong.
posted by riddle at 6:40 PM | |