Scriptural Basis
Mark 9:14-29 (NRSV)
When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, 'What are you arguing about with them?' Someone from the crowd answered him, 'Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.' He answered them, 'You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.' And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, 'If you are able! -All things can be done for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!' After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'This kind can come out only through prayer.'
Blog Reflection
This Gospel presents us with all kinds of problems doesn't it?
As we read this narrative it sounds a lot like an exchange that might happen in some department store. Some consumer did not get quite what they thought they were paying for. So they turned to the boss and got what they wanted. Then the boss told the employees how to solve this problem in the future.
This story has a much deeper meaning then that.
"Despite its length and detail, there is a very clear and simple message that Mark wishes to convey: Anything is possible to one who trusts (v.23), and trust is deepened by prayer (v.29)!" (Collegeville Bible Commentary, New Testament Volume, page 922).
Imagine the trust level of the expected 323,000 workers who will lose their jobs over the next year due to the recent deficit ceiling debt reduction deal that was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.
It is easy to talk about trust and prayer being a great thing in theory.
In practice when a mother is watching her child die of leukemia, and the medical bills climbing because they do not have enough health care coverage, prayer and trust seem like a waste of energy.
If we take the "all is hopeless" approach and assume that God just pushes those who question their faith aside because of their own experiences or lack thereof, than we miss another important conversation contained with in this Gospel.
The faith of the father of the son who is possessed by a spirit of self destruction and "rigidity", cries out to Jesus with: "I believe, help my unbelief." Jesus responds by rewarding the faith of the father and heals his son.
The healing happens not because of a creed or even a set of moral standards set by the local religious convention. The healing happens as an individual who strongly believes, admits that he is not sure of God's purpose in the situation of his son's condition. By stating that while he believes, he also does not God is able to use the weakness of uncertainty to strengthen, heal and reconcile.
As I read this narrative, I could almost hear a coming out story taking place.
The spirit that had been destroying the boy is not unlike what can happen to a young man as he struggles with his sexual orientation.
When a young man discovers within his body and mind, feelings and reactions that are not quite like others around him, the fear, anxiety and uncertainty can become destructive.
As he sits in his middle school classes with all of his male peers noticing the breasts on Sarah in the front row, he fears what will happen when his classmates notice him looking at the bulge in the shorts of Ronnie who is fascinated by Sarah.
When he hears what happened to Thomas who committed suicide because he was bullied for the erection he got in the boys locker room, and suspected of being gay, he fears even more for his own safety.
He goes to the local Nazarene church with his mom and dad and the preacher gives a sermon on 1 Corinthians 6:9 and hears from the New International Version: "...nor homosexual offenders,,,,,will enter the kingdom of God." To that point re-emphasized by the preacher, his father and mother give a heat-felt "AMEN!"
When sitting at home later that evening watching TV with his parents, he hears some report out of California about a referendum to repeal the State's new Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) education act to teach about LGBT history in the public schools. Some anti-LGBT hate group supported by organizations like Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, the American Family Association and others are supportive of a ballot initiative to repeal the bill. When the son hears this, his interior hate for the feelings he experiences and the confusion of what to do escalates.
Finally, confronted by the reality of his gay feelings that he cannot escape, he one day just about breaks down emotionally and psychologically. He reveals to his father that he is sexually attracted to men, not women. His father and mother being the "Christian" parents that they, tell their son that either he goes into an Exodus International camp along with a reparative therapy program, or he gets the hell out of their home to never return.
To add fuel to the fire, his parents call their pastor who agrees to meet with their son. When the meeting takes place, the Pastor affirms the decision of the boy's parents and tells the son that his best and most "faithful" option is to go to the Exodus camp etc.
Sadly, the story I have just written about is the kind of thing that happens to many girls and boys raised by God fearing parents, who confront feelings of homosexuality, bisexuality or transgender. It is not uncommon for the story like I have just written to end with the child going to the ex-gay group or choosing to go out on their own. Those who go into the ex-gay camps often wind up in State or Federal legislatures where they work to enact anti-equality legislation. Those who go out on their own, risk sexual assault, getting HIV/AIDS or other STD's or could even wind up dead by some hate group.
"I believe Lord, help my unbelief."
The reply of Jesus in our Gospel today tells us that God does not leave us to our own destructiveness.
God does not just love those who endorse and embrace the Christianist position.
God is not a God of "rigidity" of moral standards set by those who interpret the Bible literally or from the Tea Party point of view.
God looks at all God's people whom God created and loves us all.
God is just as concerned about the LGBTQ youth who wonders about their future at home, in the world, in their church and beyond as God is concerned about the attitudes of Christians who use the Faith as an excuse to scapegoat LGBTQ people.
God cares about the 323,000 American jobs that will be lost next year.
God cares that there are people who cannot see the doctor because they do not have health insurance.
God cares about Muslims who continue to be stereotyped and targeted for massive discrimination and violence because of their religion.
God is concerned about immigrants seeking a home and a future in the "land of opportunity for all", yet find racism through anti-immigration laws in places like Arizona and Alabama.
God does not approve of so called "pro-life" groups seeking to take away a woman's right to chose what is best for her, in an economy that will not provide for her or her child once she/he is born by way of job training, health care, child day care, housing, nutrition programs and education.
God's love is transforming and inclusive.
God's love and power seeks to transform the evils of society such as prejudice, injustice, oppression and violence, by God's inclusive and all embracing love.
God can do such things when God's people live and pray and work together to promote peace, inclusion, justice and opportunities for each other.
That is what I believe this Gospel narrative is about. That is why I believe that we will not see our economy turn around, or the wars stop, or marriage equality legal in all States and countries. These and many other evils of our time will not stop, if God's people will not come together, recognize the beauty and holiness of God in our sisters and brothers and take seriously our vocation to seek the common good of all God's people.
How are we praying and working together to end the spirits of evil in our world?
Prayers
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 13, Book of Common Prayer, page 232).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 815).
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Our Country, Book of Common Prayer, page 820).
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