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Isaiah refuses to pretend anymore.

Our eternal destinies hang on two phrases: “I was a stranger and you took me in” and “I was a stranger and you did not welcome me.” Jesus gives us two options when relating to strangers: we can welcome them into our lives or not. The Matthew 25 parable is about nations, not individuals. Come Judgment Day, the text argues, “all the nations of the world will be gathered together” before the Son of Man. The scene is that of a world court with Jesus the chief justice sitting in judgment. Presumably Russia, China, Japan and the United States are there alongside other nations great and small.

Did the “worthless slave” know the story of the foolish bridesmaids? When they did not preserve the oil for their lamps, the women were locked out of the party. We could understand why, if the slave knew that story, he would focus on preserving his money. But now he is locked out while the bridesmaids cry until their mascara runs, and all gnash their teeth. We’re left to wonder, “Just what do you do in an apocalypse?”

Elections produce overwhelming hope or overwhelming disappointment. On the Wednesday morning after a national election, one half of the country wakes up disappointed with the other half. If it’s our candidate who’s won, we celebrate the new day dawning. In defeat we ruminate, despairing for the future and wondering bitterly about fraud.