Patronage

The mere mention of the word “patronage” in the context of political payback raises eyebrows. That someone is friends with someone on the inside, who delivers favours and petitions on the part of an individual or a specific group, is not something we condone. Nobody wants to think that underhanded deals are being made, or that someone is getting their roads paved or schools built because they voted the “right” way. Governments want to appear transparent and open, but there remains an underlying suspicion of those on the good side of power. The word “patronage” is usually spoken with a tone of negativity and yet, over the course of our lives, many of us have had or been patrons. Patrons are those who show loyalty to particular businesses, or who show support to someone or sympathy to a particular cause. Patrons can also be thought of in terms of “the saints”, those who look out for particular groups of people. These days, there may still be some who think of St. Peter or St. Andrew, the fisher disciples as the patron saints of those who fish.
 
Recently, I’ve been thinking about who might have gone out on a limb for me. Who are the ones that might have remained loyal, or pulled strings, or been regular supporters of me and my work? Sometimes, things just seem to fall into place for some people, and often there are those who solidly support from behind the scenes, those who I may not even be aware of. Have I been the recipient of patronage? Perhaps so!
 
The reading from seventh chapter of Luke, which will be heard tomorrow in many churches, offers an intriguing look at the idea of patronage.  Jesus heals the centurion’s servant and those who observe justifiably respond with astonishment. Jesus responds to the plea for healing, because of the centurion’s astonishing faith. This presents a theological problem.  Why does great faith result in healing for some people and not others? So many people of deep faith and deep need seem left without a patron. What about all the other servants, Jesus? What of their pain and anguish and suffering?
 
And there is no real answer. Bad things happen to people of faith and people of no faith.  Healing happens for people of faith and people of no faith. There is no cure for bad luck, but communities of faith can certainly help carry the load. Although we cannot cure cancer, we can do our best to offer comfort and friendship to those who live with it. We cannot solve the world refugee crisis, but we can make a difference for those who by grace and good fortune have found their way in to our lives and hearts.
 
The motivation as people of faith is not to look to Jesus for a payback, but to be patrons for someone else, to use our resources and a level of care which goes beyond the norm. When we live into that kind of ethos, we continue to be the living word of God, the incarnation of the Spirit, the hands and feet of Christ. Doing what we are able with love and patience, compassion and inclusion, being patrons of the way, a tangible approach to faith for today.