By Pastor Wes Poole
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jeshua bar Josef
Woodcrafters shop
Nazareth
FROM: Jordan Management Consultants.
Jerusalem.
SUBJECT: Staff Aptitude Test.
DATE: 22 May, 30 CE
Dear Rabbi,
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the 12 men you picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests, and we have not only run the results through our computer but also have arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational consultant.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper.
Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership.
The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty.
Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale.
We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew the Publican has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau.
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic depressive scale.
One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and innovative. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right hand man. All other profiles are self-explanatory.
We wish you every success in your new venture.
JMCJ
(Many thanks to DesperatePreacher.com!)
Ah…worldly wisdom…it’s such an easy target! I was actively searching for some Lenten humor this week. The somber and serious tone of Lent, while altogether appropriate, can become a bit oppressive. Also, as I write this, it’s 60 degrees out, vaccines are going into arms, (though not mine as yet!) and I find myself in a lighter mood all around. When I came across the “letter” above, aside from making me smile, it immediately reminded me of two things. The first is a saying attributed to Mother Theresa, “the Christian is called to be faithful, not successful”. The second comes from Jesus himself in the sixteenth chapter of Luke, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” The Lenten takeaway?? Keep trying! The journey of self-improvement is a never ending process, and it’s the little things we do that tend to mean the most. In our relationships with others, are our words and actions kind? Are they encouraging? Are they up building? Are they free of judgment and fueled by compassion? Obviously, there aren’t permanent answers to any of those questions, but are we faithfully trying? That’s the key! God is always there for us, providing forgiveness and unlimited “second” chances. The journey of Lent lifts up for us the reality that we’re called to be Christ to our neighbors in all things. So-called worldly wisdom would have us submit a “Resume of Righteousness”, touting our achievements. Lent reminds us that there is no such thing. All goodness comes from God. When we discipline ourselves to trust in God first, we find that the rest tends to fall into place! I pray that we find the energy, here at mid-Lent, to keep striving to make ourselves more faithful, even and especially in the little things. God values our efforts. Our sisters and brothers in Christ will too!
Let us pray…
God of second chances, Jesus showed us what is possible when we are faithful to you and your commandments. As we strive to be Christ to our neighbor, help us to focus on faithfulness, especially in the small things. For it is in the acts of kindness, mercy, and compassion, no matter how big or small, that we bring all of Creation to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Be well, be kind, and be safe. I hope we’ll see each other sooner, rather than later.
Blessings always,
Pastor Wes Poole †