The Parable of the Lunch Line

T

I am currently working a paper on Staughton Lynd as parabolic theologian. A parabolic theologian is one who, rather than working systematically, uses stories, metaphors, autobiographical and biographical sketches and, well, parables to teach. Over the next few days I am going to post a few of my favorite of Lynd’s parables. This is one I call the “Parable of the Lunch Line.” It appears in some form or another in a number of his texts. This version comes from Stepping Stones: Memoir of a Life Together, which he co-authored with his wife Alice:

It seems that one day during the Spanish Civil War there was a long line waiting for lunch. Far back in the line was a well-known anarchist. A colleague urged him: “Comrade, come to the front of the line and get your lunch. Your time is too valuable to be wasted this way. Your work is too important for you to stand at the back of the line. Think of the Revolution!” Remaining where he was in line, the anarchist leader replied: “This is the Revolution.”

About the author

cbossen

Add comment

By cbossen

Follow Me