Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 21: It Is The Little Things We Do

Today's Scripture Readings

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 (NRSV)

The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at."

Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the LORD became very angry, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the LORD, "Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,' to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, 'Give us meat to eat!' I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once--if I have found favor in your sight--and do not let me see my misery."

So the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you."

So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.

Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, "My lord Moses, stop them!" But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!"

Psalm 19 (BCP., p.606-607)


James 5:13-20 (NRSV)

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Mark 9:38-50 (NRSV)

John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

"For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

Blog Reflection

Saint Theresa of Avila was quoted as saying, "The smallest thing when done for the love of God is priceless."  This is not the same meaning of priceless that followed every MasterCard commercial once upon a time.  This is priceless in the sense that God does not count what we do for the love of God by how well, how big, how much or how expensive.  God accepts what we do out of love, because as far as God is concerned, there is no price to be paid.  Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection took care of that.

As much as we profess to celebrate all that God does for us, it is easy for us to get all wound up in what we do not have.  I think this was the case with the People of Israel in our reading from Numbers.  Their complaint is not entirely invalid.  Yet, that which they are craving from their time in slavery, was where they were also oppressed.  At times, even when God has delivered us; our eyes are in our past and not being attentive to the here and now.  Moses recognizes that he is only one person.  He can only do so much.  So God gathers others to help Moses in the guidance of the community.

The ministry and mission of the Church can be summed up very well in our reading from James.  The Church is called to be the healing presence of God through prayer, word and sacrament.  Yet, that call is meant for something larger.  Namely, the whole community.  This means that Christians are entrusted by God with the work of healing and reconciliation.  It begins in part, by the Church being interested and responding to the needs of the sick, the suffering and the lonely.  The prayers and work of the Church is very powerful when exercised by trusted stewards of God's gifts.  James is admonishing the community in which he writes, to make use of that ministry to cast out the evils of their time.

I labeled this blog post as "It Is The Little Things We Do" because of what we read about in today's Gospel.  The disciples saw someone doing a similar thing that they did.  They were just in another community observing and following Jesus.  In their haste, they tell Jesus what they did.  Jesus' response is something that Christians need to hear today.  All Christians (and all people for that matter) can serve the Name of Jesus from where ever they are, and still make an impact on those around them.  All Christians are part of the same ministry, even as they perform that ministry in different ways and in different company.   It is not a matter of being liberal, conservative, Anglo-Catholic, moderate ofr evangelical.  It is a question of what are we doing with the opportunities that God presents us with at the point of where we are.  Someone who just sharpens pencils for a meeting is still serving God in great ways; as does the Parish Formation Director.  The one who shows up to help rearrange the chairs for choir rehearsal is still part of the song being sung by the choir.  Whether or not they sing every note perfectly.

The Church finds ourselves at an interesting crossroads.  We are blessed with our Baptism with it's covenant through which we commit ourselves.  We commit ourselves to the work of ministry and mission, while living into our vows by opening ourselves up to the presence of God including in those who are different from ourselves.  The last thing we want to do, is make anyone feel that they are less important to the life and ministry of the Church so as to scandalize them about who Jesus Christ is.

Jesus Christ is seeking deeper relationships through those who are seeking union with God.  Each individual searches for that union according to who they are and where they are.  We must be most attentive to our own search for God, so that we may love and desire God wherever God is found.  God is most likely sought and found where we have not looked for God, desired God and committed ourselves to love God from where we are at.  Whether we are individuals of diverse races, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions and such, each of us is in a place, where God wants to love us.

There are opportunities in front of us to not only tell our own stories of what God is doing in and through our lives; but also listen to what God is doing through others.  If we will spend some time to "listen" while "inclining the ears of our hearts", we will encounter God in ways the draws us deeper in to the mystery of who God is.

Fellow Christians, let us all work together at what God has before us, wherever and who ever we are.  God has so many wonderful things God wants to do with, for and around us.  Let's get to it.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing
mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we,
running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of
your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 21.  The Book of Common Prayer.  p.234).

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Prayer for the Unity of The Church.  The Book of Common Prayer. p. 818).

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 20: Silence, Listening and Community

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 11:18-20 (NRSV)

It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew;

then you showed me their evil deeds.

But I was like a gentle lamb

led to the slaughter.

And I did not know it was against me

that they devised schemes, saying,

"Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,

let us cut him off from the land of the living,

so that his name will no longer be remembered!"

But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously,

who try the heart and the mind,

let me see your retribution upon them,

for to you I have committed my cause.

Psalm 54 (BCP., p.659)


James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (NRSV)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Mark 9:30-37 (NRSV)

Jesus and his disciples went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Blog Reflection

Two of the most important hallmarks of Benedictine Monasticism is silence and listening.  If we take the word silent and change the letters around we will arrive at the word listen.  The purpose of silence and listening is not just for that sake of our personal selves.  It is also for the good of the whole Community.   In Chapter 6 of The Rule of St. Benedict, he writes about that just as it is important to keep silent about many good things, it is that much more important to keep our silence with things that are not so good.  After reading the above sentence, we can easily ask ourselves the question, "By what measure do we decide what is good and bad?"  It is easy to say that we use the Gospel alone, but each of us has a different understanding of what that means.

There is another author who wrote a lot about silence, speech and community.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his famous book Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community, wrote about what we say within community can be a reflection of who thinks they are the greatest or the least.  He also points out, the impact on community when when speak to one another, without listening more deeply to each other.   If we are not listening to one another, what kind of a reflection is it on how well we are listening to God?

Jesus finds Himself with these very issues and more in the exchange between the Disciples argument about who is the greatest or the least.  This argument is all tied up in not so much of who they are, but how they see themselves in relationship to God and each other.  Jesus' answer to all of this; is that as He did not come among us to declare Himself to be the greatest of all, only because of who He is; then those who claim to follow Him must be ready to serve others with the the same humility.  To give of ourselves in serving others, we become the Presence of Jesus in our world.

Christians of all sects, theological and social positions are in a battle of who's version of the Christian Faith is the greatest.  While Christians are doing this, those who really need to see the goodness of Christ in their lives are being left to wonder if it even exists.  The heart of who Jesus was/is is about serving the least among us so that the mercy and love of God can be a living reality for all Humankind.  These include the confused, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, the dying, the ignorant and the arrogant.   It is about our relationships.  It is not about what we achieve for ourselves.  It is what we give to and for those who are wanting what others have in excess, while they can barely get their hands around a morsel.

Jesus challenges each of us to see and serve each other with respect for the dignity of every human person, and the nurturing of the Community of God's people.  This is a very difficult task.  It means that we must allow ourselves to be displaced by The Holy Spirit and redirected again and again in ways that are not completely comfortable, yet lead us through our opportunities for growth; to the ministry of healing and reconciliation.  The world needs Christians who live this life of Jesus. 

As politicians focus more on their campaigns, their billion dollar donors, and patronizing those who side with them and trashing those who don't; the real people and their needs for equal rights, personal safety, and a sense of belonging get brushed aside.  Today's Gospel invites all of us to be where the need for the unconditional and all-inclusive love of God brings hope with life-giving potential.

Are there any among us ready to fulfill the call of Jesus to serve the community, because we were silent long enough to listen for that call?

Amen.


Prayers

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 20, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 234).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for The Poor and Neglected.  the Book of Common Prayer, p. 825).

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 19: Our Identity, Our Response and The Cross

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom 7:26-8:1 (NRSV)

For wisdom is a reflection of eternal light,

a spotless mirror of the working of God,

and an image of his goodness.

Although she is but one, she can do all things,

and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;

in every generation she passes into holy souls

and makes them friends of God, and prophets;

for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.

She is more beautiful than the sun,

and excels every constellation of the stars.

Compared with the light she is found to be superior,

for it is succeeded by the night,

but against wisdom evil does not prevail.

She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other,

and she orders all things well.

Psalm 19 (BCP., p.606)


James 3:1-12 (NRSV)

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue-- a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Mark 8:27-38 (NRSV)

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Blog Reflection

It must have been a very interesting show with Jesus, the Disciples and in particular Peter.  Jesus: "Who do you say that I am?"  Peter, " I say you are the Messiah."   Jesus, "I am going to Jerusalem and there I will be put to death and rise again."  Peter, "No do not do that.'  Jesus, "Get behind me, Satan."   Jesus, "If you want to be my Disciples, deny yourselves, take up your Cross and follow after me."

The scene may suggest that in the heat of the moment Peter's faith shined like the sun, then his own head might have gotten a bit big.  Jesus humbled Peter, by telling the devil in him to get behind Jesus and do not tempt Jesus.  Then, tells every one what they must do to follow Him." 

What would our response have been?

Would our response be anything like Peter's?

Can we really understand and take up our Cross and follow Jesus?

In claiming Jesus to be the Messiah, Peter took risked a lot.  It would mean that Peter and the other Disciples now see Jesus as something that those to whom they were meeting and healing and so forth, would have to be very careful with.  To say who Jesus is according to Peter, was to essentially change everything around them and become like the social outcasts that Jesus was delivering right in front of them.   As Peter learns, this proclamation on his part cost him big.  It was a change of identity, that required a particular response that would ultimately lead him and those who agreed with what he said to the Cross that Christ was to carry.

Jesus asks each of us today to identify who He is for each of us.  Jesus asks us to identify ourselves in relationship to who we know Jesus to be for us.  Jesus tells us to put aside who and how we think of what Jesus should and should not do.  Jesus then tells us to pick up what is ours to carry, and to lose ourselves in service to God for the glory of God's Reign.  Those are pretty tall orders.

Among the many points in this weekends readings, we find an opportunity for us to make decisions and to make them count for something very important.  It is no longer just about ourselves.  It is now about something much bigger with the potential to gain something wonderful by giving up what we think is important to us.  It is about serving the community of faith, in faith and seeking union with God through our relationships with one another.  It is there that we will know our essence and find ours infused with the Holy Essence of God that leads us into a life of fulfillment and purpose.  This fulfillment and purpose cannot be found in this world based on things such as wealth, fame, power, control and a determination to benefit at the expense of others who are already underprivileged beyond their capacity.

As issues of race, trying to curb the gun violence that threatens every one of us in one way or another, sexism, heterosexism, immigration, refugees and more; the question for Christians is to know the identity of Jesus, our own identity in Jesus, and to allow the loving mercy of God to shape us so that our faith becomes that living reality that so many long to see, touch and hear.

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Who are you in relationship to Jesus?

What will your cross be like as you pick it up and follow Jesus?

The good news for this Sunday is, you do not have to do it correctly the first time, and you are never alone no matter how you answer those questions.  Each of us has God's love and grace, and we have the investment of the community of faith to nurture, help and sustain us. This is a Christian Faith that lives beyond the death of the grave, and is among us because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.  All we have to do is answer the questions and live by that new life that Jesus gives to all of us and by faith, put one foot in front of the other, and God will do the rest.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct
and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Proper 19.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 233).

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted
high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to
himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery
of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and
follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.  (Collect for The Holy Cross Day.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 244).

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 101).

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 18: Jesus, the Woman and Us

Today's Scripture Readings

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 (NRSV)

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

and favor is better than silver or gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common:

the LORD is the maker of them all.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,

and the rod of anger will fail.

Those who are generous are blessed,

for they share their bread with the poor.

 

Do not rob the poor because they are poor,

or crush the afflicted at the gate;

for the LORD pleads their cause

and despoils of life those who despoil them.

Psalm 125 (BCP., p.781)

James 2: 1-17 (NRSV)

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

Mark 7:24-37 (NRSV)

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For saying that, you may go-- the demon has left your daughter." So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Blog Reflection

Today's Gospel is a difficult one to read and hear.  None of us likes to think about Jesus as having to confront a prejudice of His own, of which He would have gained from the culture He was in. Through out the Gospel accounts of Jesus, we read of His amazing compassion for the sick, lame, hungry, lonely, women and the marginalized.  This Gospel reading from Mark knocks the wind out of our sails if you will.  How could Jesus be so insensitive?

There are a variety of interpretations of this Gospel text, all of which have their merit.  One is that the the interaction between Jesus and this woman was not so much about prejudice of any kind on the part of Jesus, but about the faith of the woman who challenged Him.  Indeed, this interpretation is exactly the kind of thing that fits into what we are talking about when we bring up the matter of prejudice.  A woman would have had very little standing in her society to address a Rabbi in the way she did.  The fact that she was a Gentile woman in this time and culture and made her appeal and defended herself to Jesus, was that much more of a counter-cultural action on her part.  She would have become that much more of a social outcast than she already was.

Perhaps Jesus was not so much as dismissing her or even being biased towards her.  Maybe Jesus said what He said, so that the marginalization of the woman would be made so visible, that He was able to meet that prejudice of His culture and eradicate it from Himself and His culture.  I think what I am aiming for is some reverse psychology.  His appearance of rejecting her would have been good use of His adversaries to use against Him.  However, when Jesus recognizes her faith and her daughter is cured, the cultural bias is uncovered, as is God's mercy and grace that transforms her life and the culture around them.  The captive who is dehumanized is reclaimed as being God's own community and fellowship.

Jesus wants more than just the appearance of religion and its various requirements.  He wants the grace of God to move us beyond where we currently are.  Jesus wants to move us into a culture and faith that surpasses appearances, and brings the holiness of God to a living experience in our personal interactions with others.  A society and Church in which the message of the Gospel does not stop at our biases, but becomes a welcoming and healing place where God is present and moving among all of God's people with dignity and integrity.

This past week, the social media has been focusing on Kim Davis and her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-gender couples.  Her case has been presented before judges and even the Supreme Court, and refused asking her to obey the law.  She is making the claim that she is acting on "God's authority" and her rights are protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution regarding "Religious Freedom."   Kim Davis was put in prison on a contempt of court charge.

I was both supportive of the pro-LGBT media that covered what was going on, yet, I also have a real concern.  I agree with those who are deeply disturbed by this County Clerk who under an oath, chose to ignore her duties to the people of the county and break the law because of a religious based bias.  I was also concerned that she chose to use her insubordination as a means of proselytizing others on the basis of her religious beliefs.  In addition, I am offended that she would be so arrogant as to suggest that she is acting on "God's authority" that is based on her understanding of the Bible.  Her actions suggest that no one who believes as she does has a right to receive what is lawfully and rightfully theirs, and she decides that as if she is the lone interpreter of God's will in that office.  Our magnificent Christian Faith is hijacked and Jesus Christ gets a bad Name once again.

I am also deeply concerned and disappointed however, that many progressive and pro-LGBT blog authors made their case for equality by using Davis' divorces and children as leverage to support their opposition.  While working to uphold the dignity and integrity of marriage equality for same-sex couples, Davis' dignity as a divorced woman who has multiple children was unjustly used to smear her.  In the effort to support equality, Mrs. Davis' and consequently others who married and divorced, with multiple children became a new chapter in sexism and degradation unnecessarily.  A most unfortunate example of favoritism by Mrs. Davis, the news media, and the political agenda of many.

Jesus desires even more than we do to heal our deafness to the needs of others.  Jesus' healing of the man who could not hear is symbolic of God's wish for us to be able to listen more attentively to the Holy Spirit within our hearts.  Jesus asks us to make room for others who are different from ourselves.  This is difficult for us to do because of our pride and our being so self-centered.  Jesus comes to call on us to confront the biases we all carry inside of us.  God's unconditional love and transforming grace wants to help us soften our hearts, and open our ears to the presence of Jesus in others around us.  It is God's opportunity for us to make our faith something we live, from the inside out and from the outside back inside of us in a continual relationship of community.  The breath of God can breathe new and refreshing air that brings with it healing and reconciliation to the hurting and broken world we live in.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou doest love,
And do what thou wouldst do.
(Hymnal 1982, #508).

Amen.


Prayers

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as
you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength,
so you never forsake those who make their boast of your
mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Proper 18, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 233).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another
that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide
us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but
for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for
our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of
other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out
of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for Labor Day.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 261).