Here There and Everywhere

Spiderman Theology

I love it when the Lectionary surprises me. Today is this verse in Luke 12: 32-48, the very last verse:

Luke 12: 41-48

41 Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’⁴²And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? ⁴³Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. ⁴⁴Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, ⁴⁶the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces,^* and put him with the unfaithful. ⁴⁷That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating.⁴⁸But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

When I got to the end of the reading, I laughed out loud. I have used a similar quote many times: With great power comes great responsibility. It’s from Spiderman, and most people relate to Spiderman. I know I do. Today, I loved discovering its grounding in scripture.

Twenty years ago, in Kuwait, I would have posted this and asked my fellow bloggers if there were comparable scriptures from their books. A lively discussion would ensue. I would learn surprising similarities, and disturbing differences. I miss those discussions.

October 31, 2026 - Posted by intlxpatr | Blogging, Faith, Kuwait, Lectionary Readings, Values