Two House Builders

Many of Jesus's parables involved two characters. Two sons, two men praying, two sets of flock (sheep and goats), two groups of five girls, two look-alike plants (wheat and bastard wheat), two debtors...

Often, when we are presented with two choices, two options, two paths, we assume that the choice is between good and bad so we automatically choose the good. But, in reality, many of the choices we make are not really that clear-cut. Usually it's between good and better. Or, for the majority, between bad and worse.

As I have done in the past, I will not offer a reading based on Matthew's appropriation of Jesus's parable (that the house builders represent the doers and the non-doers of Jesus's teachings) but on how the story may have resonated with its original hearers.

How many people do you think had the resources to build houses on rock during Jesus's time? How many people do you think had the resources to even build houses--any type of shelter or dwelling--at all?

Why to you think Jesus challenged everyone to feed the hungry, offer drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned, and welcome the stranger? Because during his time, for most of the people, homes built on rock was an impossible dream, homes on sand was a long shot, homelessness was the stark reality.

Why do you think Jesus said, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but humans have no place even to lay their heads"?