Episode 20, "BANKERS HOURS ON THE WAY OUT", Luke 12:32-48

The Ordinary Times

By 1961 Orvil Eugene Dryfoos had become the publisher of the New York times, succeeding his father-in-law Arthur Hays Sulzberger, who in turn had succeeded his father-in-law Adolph Ochs. He proved to be a caretaker for the New York Times. So, Dryfoos wasn’t working the metaphorical “banker’s hours” of 9-5 but what bank hours were becoming. Automation was leading to a banking overnight and weekends shift on what was formerly a 9-5 weekdays job. It would soon disrupt publishing as well. By 1963 Orvil Dryfoos had ended his time as the publisher. This caretaker for NYT was now taken to the undertaker. He had worked dutifully on his way up, and due to a strike during his short tenure, worked himself to death. No matter what kind of power we have in this life… our lives soon give way to the afterlife. The boss isn’t the boss, if he has answer to a higher power. That truth brings us to the lectionary reading from the Gospel of Luke 12:32-48. In it Jesus warns us about the assumptions of automation and accounting for our lack of action.