LETTERS Hermeneutist
Sir: Auberon Waugh's exposition of the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew xxv, 31-46) in his predictable critique of Archbishop Derek Worlock's political and theological views (Another voice, 23 April) is dull, anodyne and wrong.
He says, 'The message is clear. We must all have a mind for the future ... we must work hard to improve our lot and be charitable to those less fortunate.' This is not what the parable says. It is addressed not to individuals but to 'all the nations' (verse 32) — appropriately since it is the last story Jesus tells before the passion and it is a summary of all his teaching. Ques- tions about the 'less fortunate' are addres- sed to the nations, and thus in contempor- ary terms to those who are responsible for forming public policy on these matters.
But that is not the point of the story; that is made in the astonishing words, 'In- asmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me' (v.40 and 45). That is to say in the faces of the 'less fortunate' is the face of God. It is they who stand in judgment on the rest of us. That rather alters the case for mild philanthropy which Auberon Waugh thinks is the meaning of the para- ble.
There is no suspicious, political ideology working around this story (or any others Jesus told). They are too tough, uncom- fortable and surprising for that. Clergy are often told to keep out of politics, because they don't know what they are talking about. Busy journalists should not ex- pound the scriptures unless they have done their homework.
Donald Reeves
Rector, St James's Church, Piccadilly, London WI
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