Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs
(Tobit 1:3.2:1a-8; Mark 12:1-12)
For most of the second half of the twentieth century
Chicago was governed by the Daley machine.
People throughout the country were aghast at the corruption, but the local
populace, prospering economically, did not mind the patronage. It seemed to take pride in the statement made
by a city alderman, “Chicago ain’t ready for reform.” Jesus can be seen as preaching against such a
system in today’s gospel.
The parable of the vineyard is a thinly veiled indictment
of the Jewish leadership who stand before him.
It insinuates that the chief priests, scribes and elders are abusing the
trust God has placed in them. Instead of
caring for the people, it argues that they make a profit for themselves. It further prophesizes that in time the
Jewish leaders will kill Jesus himself but for this act, they will be severely
punished.
Courage, of course, is required to speak up against
improper governance. Similar to Jesus in
the gospel, today’s saint, Charles Lwanga of Uganda, was martyred for
admonishing his king for outrageous behavior.
Prudence is always necessary when making public outcries, but prudence joins
forces with courage to speak truth to power when the situation demands it.
