Today's Scripture Readings
Isaiah 43:16-21(NRSV)
Psalm 126 (BCP., p.782)
Philippians 3:4b-14(NRSV)
John 12:1-8 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
We have traveled quite the journey since the Second Sunday after the Epiphany. When we last joined Jesus in the Gospel according to John, we found ourselves at Cana where Jesus transformed the water into wine. During the last eight weeks, we have been reading our way through the Gospel of Luke. From Jesus' inaugural address, right up to the parable of the prodigal last weekend. Now suddenly, we are returned to John's Gospel with Mary Magdalene pouring ointment on the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair and kissing them. What might the significance of this be?
This Gospel narrative contains some comparisons to the Wedding feast at Cana in John 2:1-11. First, Jesus is present for a feast. In Cana it was a wedding feast at which Mary his mother was present who tells Jesus that they have no wine. Jesus' reply to her "Woman, what is this to you, my hour has not yet come." After, Jesus suddenly becomes the host and turns jars of water into the best wine served at the feast.
Here in Bethany, Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead. Martha, Mary Magdalene and Lazarus prepare and celebrate a dinner together. Mary breaks open a very expensive jar of ointment. This ointment in their time, would be the rough equivalent of 600 bottles of the best wine, each priced at about $9,250.00 in our time. It was by far the most expensive and extravagant on the market. It might very well have cost Mary every thing she had. She used it to prepare the feet of Jesus to walk to his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus will celebrate His Last Supper with His disciples. Jesus will be tried, and handed over to be scourged, spit upon, mocked and finally nailed to the Cross to die. Jesus will be laid in the tomb on Holy Saturday. On Easter Day, Jesus will rise from the dead.
Mary Magdalene is breaking many traditions here. First, she is a woman, considered the "weak" one in her society. She is choosing to do something to this man named Jesus that appears to be foolish. Unheard of. She is also not concerned of what the authorities of the day think of this man. She is not concerned about the cost of the ointment, nor her reputation for being a slave for the One who is God, who came among us as a servant of the marginalized and oppressed of society. She is challenging those who are complaining about her, to think far outside the box of serving the poor. She is challenging them to see and serve Christ in all whom they may serve.
This past week during my formation studies I read Chapter 64, The Election of a Superior in The Rule of St. Benedict. In verses 11-13 Benedict wrote:
In A Life Giving Way: A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict, Esther de Waal writes of Benedict having taught the brothers to handle all of the goods of the monastery as the sacred vessels of the altar (cf. RB 1980 Chapter 31 vs. 10). In her commentary on Chapter 64: 11-13 she writes:
What might all of this say to us on this Fifth Sunday in Lent?
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is costly. It will demand our best and our all. We will be challenged to let go. Turn over ourselves over and over again for the use of God's will. At times, it will cost us that which is most precious to us. It might be that special date or time we had planned to entertain ourselves or become an entertainer. It may cost us our popularity. It may cost us those possessions that we are hoarding all for ourselves, when others could use our excess. It may be our intellectual pride by which we think we are smarter than others. It may be our desire to fit in with the most powerful, wealthy and the best looking.
Our society and the Church need this message desperately.
This past week we witnessed the incredible rising of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio now elected as Pope Francis I. The tradition that brought it all about captured the world for a brief period of time. He has been a huge supporter of ending the income inequality of the people of Argentina for many years. Yet, he is opposed to marriage equality and adoption of children by LGBT people, a woman's right to choose and contraception. He chose the name Francis of Assisi because of his affection for the poor of the world. Earlier today, in his first press conference since his election, he said "I would love a Church that is poor." With the exception of his position on women and LGBT people, what he proposes so far, sounds promising. Time will see and test the sincerity of Francis 1sts message and leadership.
One of the reasons that the Rule of St. Benedict attracts me so much, is because in chapters 60 and 62 Benedict puts the idea of his monastery becoming fertile ground for clericalism out the front door. Complete with a "do not return" sign, so to speak. Priests are not to come to the monastery with the intention of rearranging the monastery for their own comforts. Nor do they hold any place of privilege among the brothers. Only if the Abbot chooses and deems it profitable for the whole community, can a Priest who might enter the monastery, be given a different place of rank. If by chance a priest becomes difficult to live with, he could be asked to leave. The number one concern for Benedict is that the stability of the community in Christ be maintained and not be overcome by grumbling or any kind of political maneuvering.
As I have been watching many of the things going on in the whole Christian Church (Catholic and beyond), I have great respect for the good leaders of the Church. Many, whom even though I have disagreements with are respectable leaders, with good intentions and great vision. However, in just about every situation, there is that horrible "animal" for lack of a better word, called clericalism. Clericalism is suppose to be an aid to ministry. In the hands of the best of leaders, clericalism serves God's purposes first. Not the cleric moving up the popularity ladder among her/his colleagues. Such great leaders use their leadership to breath new air into the lives of many who have often experienced estrangement from the Church. They make serving Christ and His people in the Church their first priority. Not defending their clerical authority.
However, in the wrong hands, clericalism becomes a measuring rod for political power. These include the influence of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and their campaign with the National Organization for Marriage to organize a "March for Marriage" opposing marriage equality for LGBT people at the Supreme Court on Tuesday of Holy Week this year. It includes the clericalism within the Roman Catholic church that refuses to bend so that actual justice and compassion can be exercised on behalf of countless sexually exploited and abused children. Because of clericalism, those responsible for committing the abuses and protecting the abuser for the benefit of the institutionalized church, there is no public accountability. Because there is no accountability, the healing for the faith of wounded believers cannot be properly cared for. These two examples, should raise serious concern about the harm to the Name of Jesus Christ and His Church. In this case, clericalism is the expensive thing, being held close at the expense of the glory of God and all that Christ came to achieve in the Paschal Mystery.
In our society, we have politicians in Washington, DC treasuring and protecting their political party, their corporate billions in donations as more precious than addressing the issues of climate change, regulation of the most dangerous of fire arms, public funds for health care, education, good paying jobs, and infrastructure. Keeping the donations and friendship of the Family Research Council, the American Family Association and the National Rifle Association is more important than granting the freedom to marry for LGBT people, protecting our youth from bullying in our schools and keeping everyone in our neighborhoods safe.
Our Gospel today challenges us to give the very best of what we have, that which we most treasure and use it to serve Jesus Christ first and foremost. For example, our sexuality is given to us for our enjoyment and sharing with that special someone we love. The gender of those sharing in the experience is the least of God's concern. What is God's concern is that we are using it out of love for the other person. That we respect and being willing to commit ourselves to the common good of the other person. Our sexuality is not an end in and of itself. Nor is it an opportunity to compete for the best looking person, to use for our own end. In giving this gift back to God, we give of ourselves out of love for God, our neighbor and ourselves.
What might God be calling on us to give out of our love for Jesus Christ today?
What would the giving of our most precious thing for Jesus Christ, and the common good of others look like for you?
How do we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter, by giving the very best of what we have, so that "God may be glorified in all things" (1 Peter 4:11 NRSV)?
St. Benedict offers a suggestion that we might all do well to meditate on this last week of Lent.
Prayers
Isaiah 43:16-21(NRSV)
- Thus says the LORD,
- who makes a way in the sea,
- a path in the mighty waters,
- who brings out chariot and horse,
- army and warrior;
- they lie down, they cannot rise,
- they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
- Do not remember the former things,
- or consider the things of old.
- I am about to do a new thing;
- now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
- I will make a way in the wilderness
- and rivers in the desert.
- The wild animals will honor me,
- the jackals and the ostriches;
- for I give water in the wilderness,
- rivers in the desert,
- to give drink to my chosen people,
- the people whom I formed for myself
- so that they might declare my praise.
Psalm 126 (BCP., p.782)
Philippians 3:4b-14(NRSV)
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
Blog Reflection
We have traveled quite the journey since the Second Sunday after the Epiphany. When we last joined Jesus in the Gospel according to John, we found ourselves at Cana where Jesus transformed the water into wine. During the last eight weeks, we have been reading our way through the Gospel of Luke. From Jesus' inaugural address, right up to the parable of the prodigal last weekend. Now suddenly, we are returned to John's Gospel with Mary Magdalene pouring ointment on the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair and kissing them. What might the significance of this be?
This Gospel narrative contains some comparisons to the Wedding feast at Cana in John 2:1-11. First, Jesus is present for a feast. In Cana it was a wedding feast at which Mary his mother was present who tells Jesus that they have no wine. Jesus' reply to her "Woman, what is this to you, my hour has not yet come." After, Jesus suddenly becomes the host and turns jars of water into the best wine served at the feast.
Mary Magdalene is breaking many traditions here. First, she is a woman, considered the "weak" one in her society. She is choosing to do something to this man named Jesus that appears to be foolish. Unheard of. She is also not concerned of what the authorities of the day think of this man. She is not concerned about the cost of the ointment, nor her reputation for being a slave for the One who is God, who came among us as a servant of the marginalized and oppressed of society. She is challenging those who are complaining about her, to think far outside the box of serving the poor. She is challenging them to see and serve Christ in all whom they may serve.
He (the Abbot) must hate faults, but love the brothers. When he must punish them (the monks for their faults), he should use prudence and avoid extremes; otherwise, by rubbing too hard to remove the rust, he may break the vessel. He is to distrust his own frailty and remember not to crush the bruised reed (Isa. 42:3).
In A Life Giving Way: A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict, Esther de Waal writes of Benedict having taught the brothers to handle all of the goods of the monastery as the sacred vessels of the altar (cf. RB 1980 Chapter 31 vs. 10). In her commentary on Chapter 64: 11-13 she writes:
When it comes to the need to punish, there is a very nice picture of the abbot being bewar not to rub too hard to remove the rust in case the vessel gets broken. This is for me a picture that catches so completely Benedict's emphasis on gentleness, on compassion, on handling with care. But it is also surely more than that. In using that image of the person as a vessel, he is saying something incarnational. Is he not telling us that each person is a Eucharistic vessel (p.214)?All of us need to learn to see Christ in our neighbor. Each person is a sacred vessel containing the presence of Christ. We can and should serve one another with gladness and joy. To serve another, is to serve Christ.
What might all of this say to us on this Fifth Sunday in Lent?
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is costly. It will demand our best and our all. We will be challenged to let go. Turn over ourselves over and over again for the use of God's will. At times, it will cost us that which is most precious to us. It might be that special date or time we had planned to entertain ourselves or become an entertainer. It may cost us our popularity. It may cost us those possessions that we are hoarding all for ourselves, when others could use our excess. It may be our intellectual pride by which we think we are smarter than others. It may be our desire to fit in with the most powerful, wealthy and the best looking.
Our society and the Church need this message desperately.
This past week we witnessed the incredible rising of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio now elected as Pope Francis I. The tradition that brought it all about captured the world for a brief period of time. He has been a huge supporter of ending the income inequality of the people of Argentina for many years. Yet, he is opposed to marriage equality and adoption of children by LGBT people, a woman's right to choose and contraception. He chose the name Francis of Assisi because of his affection for the poor of the world. Earlier today, in his first press conference since his election, he said "I would love a Church that is poor." With the exception of his position on women and LGBT people, what he proposes so far, sounds promising. Time will see and test the sincerity of Francis 1sts message and leadership.
One of the reasons that the Rule of St. Benedict attracts me so much, is because in chapters 60 and 62 Benedict puts the idea of his monastery becoming fertile ground for clericalism out the front door. Complete with a "do not return" sign, so to speak. Priests are not to come to the monastery with the intention of rearranging the monastery for their own comforts. Nor do they hold any place of privilege among the brothers. Only if the Abbot chooses and deems it profitable for the whole community, can a Priest who might enter the monastery, be given a different place of rank. If by chance a priest becomes difficult to live with, he could be asked to leave. The number one concern for Benedict is that the stability of the community in Christ be maintained and not be overcome by grumbling or any kind of political maneuvering.
As I have been watching many of the things going on in the whole Christian Church (Catholic and beyond), I have great respect for the good leaders of the Church. Many, whom even though I have disagreements with are respectable leaders, with good intentions and great vision. However, in just about every situation, there is that horrible "animal" for lack of a better word, called clericalism. Clericalism is suppose to be an aid to ministry. In the hands of the best of leaders, clericalism serves God's purposes first. Not the cleric moving up the popularity ladder among her/his colleagues. Such great leaders use their leadership to breath new air into the lives of many who have often experienced estrangement from the Church. They make serving Christ and His people in the Church their first priority. Not defending their clerical authority.
However, in the wrong hands, clericalism becomes a measuring rod for political power. These include the influence of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and their campaign with the National Organization for Marriage to organize a "March for Marriage" opposing marriage equality for LGBT people at the Supreme Court on Tuesday of Holy Week this year. It includes the clericalism within the Roman Catholic church that refuses to bend so that actual justice and compassion can be exercised on behalf of countless sexually exploited and abused children. Because of clericalism, those responsible for committing the abuses and protecting the abuser for the benefit of the institutionalized church, there is no public accountability. Because there is no accountability, the healing for the faith of wounded believers cannot be properly cared for. These two examples, should raise serious concern about the harm to the Name of Jesus Christ and His Church. In this case, clericalism is the expensive thing, being held close at the expense of the glory of God and all that Christ came to achieve in the Paschal Mystery.
In our society, we have politicians in Washington, DC treasuring and protecting their political party, their corporate billions in donations as more precious than addressing the issues of climate change, regulation of the most dangerous of fire arms, public funds for health care, education, good paying jobs, and infrastructure. Keeping the donations and friendship of the Family Research Council, the American Family Association and the National Rifle Association is more important than granting the freedom to marry for LGBT people, protecting our youth from bullying in our schools and keeping everyone in our neighborhoods safe.
Our Gospel today challenges us to give the very best of what we have, that which we most treasure and use it to serve Jesus Christ first and foremost. For example, our sexuality is given to us for our enjoyment and sharing with that special someone we love. The gender of those sharing in the experience is the least of God's concern. What is God's concern is that we are using it out of love for the other person. That we respect and being willing to commit ourselves to the common good of the other person. Our sexuality is not an end in and of itself. Nor is it an opportunity to compete for the best looking person, to use for our own end. In giving this gift back to God, we give of ourselves out of love for God, our neighbor and ourselves.
What might God be calling on us to give out of our love for Jesus Christ today?
What would the giving of our most precious thing for Jesus Christ, and the common good of others look like for you?
How do we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter, by giving the very best of what we have, so that "God may be glorified in all things" (1 Peter 4:11 NRSV)?
St. Benedict offers a suggestion that we might all do well to meditate on this last week of Lent.
Do not be daunted immediately by fear or run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from his instructions, then, by faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery [or where ever you happen to be] until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom. Amen. (RB 1980, The Rule of St. Benedict in Latin and English, p. 166,167).
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly
wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to
love what you command and desire what you promise; that,
among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts
may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Book of Common Prayer, p. 219).
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. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we
may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to
other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors
of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative
authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their
duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our
laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and
foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to
fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding
and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and
justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to
accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they
may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for
the well-being of our society; that we may serve you
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as
head above all. Amen. (Prayer for Sound Government, Book of Common Prayer, p.821,822).
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