Saint Mary Magdalene: A Woman of Deep Contemplation, Faith and Inspiration for Change

Today's Scripture Readings

Judith 9: 1, 11-14 (NRSV)

Judith prostrated herself, put ashes on her head, and uncovered the sackcloth she was wearing. At the very time when the evening incense was being offered in the house of God in Jerusalem, Judith cried out to the Lord with a loud voice, and said, "Your strength does not depend on numbers, nor your might on the powerful. But you are the God of the lowly, helper of the oppressed, upholder of the weak, protector of the forsaken, savior of those without hope. Please, please, God of my father, God of the heritage of Israel, Lord of heaven and earth, Creator of the waters, King of all your creation, hear my prayer! Make my deceitful words bring wound and bruise on those who have planned cruel things against your covenant, and against your sacred house, and against Mount Zion, and against the house your children possess. Let your whole nation and every tribe know and understand that you are God, the God of all power and might, and that there is no other who protects the people of Israel but you alone!"

Psalm 42 (BCP., p. 643)


2 Corinthians 5:14-18 (NRSV)

The love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

John 20:11-18 (NRSV)

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Blog Reflection

The Church today,  honors a tremendous woman of faith.  Other than Mary the Mother of Jesus, there is probably no woman in the Gospels who's name and person is so easily recognized and denigrated at the same time.

There are many sketchy accounts of Mary Magdalene.  I believe of all of the accounts of the woman who washed the feet of Jesus seated in the house of Simon the Pharisee, only John actually identifies her as Mary Magdalene.  There is some possibility that she was a prostitute who gave up that way of life to follow Jesus more closely.  That possibility has been used to dehumanize women on the part of Christians for way too long.  It never ceases to amaze me how much Christians of all denominations and sects spend on matters below the belly button. 

Could Mary's faith that kept her at the foot of the Cross and/or her unparalleled courage through which she remained weeping at the tomb looking for the Risen Christ that makes many men envious of her relationship of total fidelity to Jesus?

Mary Magdalene shows us just how Jesus turned over the norms of His society.   Women were stigmatized, and poor women who resorted to prostitution for some kind of income were considered unclean and unable to participate in local worship.   Jesus did more than just change Mary Magdalene's life, He lifted her up from the bottom of the social ladder to be an important character in the story of how God brought salvation to the world through His life, Death and Resurrection. 

The month of July 2014 has been a terrible month for women in the United States of America due to the dreadful Hobby Lobby ruling by the Supreme Court.   The ruling is not only bad because of what it does to the dignity of women, but also of how it damages the so called "religious liberty" discussion. When "religious liberty" becomes the means by which we strong arm people into policies that violate the religious liberty of others who do not believe or practice in the way we think they should, we have made religion a burden of slavery.  At that point, religion is a matter of imprisonment and obligation for the sake of conformity.   The Christian Faith loses the argument in "not conforming to the ways of this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2).   Why would anyone want to belong to such a lousy way of praying and believing?

Mary Magdalene is a magnificent example of how by God's transforming grace, God impacts not only one life in awesome and unpredictable ways, but entire communities. When one person responds by exemplary faith and action to the movement of God's Holy Spirit, that individual can impact human history with endless benefits.  

The Episcopal Church is approaching the 40th anniversary of it's decision for women to be admitted to ordained ministry.   The wonderful ways that women are taking their places as representing Christ and the Church to preach the Gospel and celebrate the Sacraments, have unleashed countless blessings on the Church and the world.   The contributions of women in the ordained ministry, can be likened to the changes brought by Mary Magdalene's prayer, faith and inspiration for change.

*At the resurrection on Easter Day, Mary's experience of Christ calling her by name in the midst of her pain and anguish, gave her first hand knowledge of God's love for her.  That love gave Mary the contemplative vision of God in the Risen Christ who spoke to her. *(See: The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience by Thomas Keating, p.73).  The story that she took to those twelve couldn't be believed, because she had been so filled with the experience of God's love, that they just couldn't bring themselves to accept it on word alone.  It was not until they each experienced the loving mercy of the Risen Christ for themselves, did they understand what Mary's experience was like.  Mary was the Apostle of the Resurrection who made believers out of those 12 men.  Her faith continues to inspire millions who attend Easter Day Liturgies all over Christendom.

Mary Magdalene's prayer and life of faith, should inspire us to continue our work to change hearts and minds regarding the marginalization of women, LGBT people and any number of persons in the Church and Society.    If we so choose to do our part to raise up many who are bowed down by prejudice and oppression, we can help people to see the real reason why people could Christians.  That real reason is because Jesus Christ changes lives to become God's Apostles for inclusive love and welcoming faith communities.  Communities that are committed to healing and reconciliation for all people with no exceptions. 

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene
to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness
of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we
may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the
power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 242).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 260).

Easter Day: Are You Resurrectable?

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 10:34-43 (NRSV)

Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalm 1181-2, 14-24 (BCP., p.760).


Colossians 3:1-4 (NRSV)

If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

John 20:1-18 (NRSV)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Blog Reflection

If you have never had the opportunity to attend the ceremony of a Benedictine making her/his Solemn Vows you are truly missing something wonderful.   If you get an invitation to attend, you should definitely accept.

One of the parts of the Rite, involves the one making Solemn Vows to prostrate on the floor and then be covered with a pall.   While covered with the pall, the Cantor and the Community chant the Litany of the Saints.    The pall is then removed, the Sister or Brother stands up and makes her/his Solemn Profession with the Vows of Stability, Conversion of Life and Obedience.   The Vows are for life.   There is no turning back.   The experience of the pall, symbolizes dying to our old selves and rising a new person.   It is a symbol of what takes place in our Baptism.   Up to the point that Solemn Vows are taken, the Sister or Brother has undergone a grueling formation process.   Surrendering herself/himself to praying the Offices, the daily prayerful reading of Scripture and learning The Rule of St. Benedict along with obedience to one's superior.    One would think that doing such would make one imprisoned.   After all, the idea of surrendering ourselves to the "judgment and commandments of another" (See RB 1980, Chapter 5:12) is not looked upon very well in this day and age.  However, the exact opposite is what happens.   When we learn to surrender ourselves to the will of God through obedience to our Superior, we find the greatest freedom, and our greatest reward is learning to trust more and more in God for all that we need.

On this Easter Day, as we arrive with Mary at the tomb and discover that Jesus is not there, we too might become absorbed in the experience of questioning our faith.  How can all that we hoped for, suddenly be taken away by the Crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday, be laid in the tomb on Holy Saturday, only to find ourselves at an empty tomb?    Where is Jesus?   Where have they laid Him?

Thomas Keating in his book The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience on pages 70-73 gives us a lot to ponder about the event of Mary Magdalene and her encounter with Jesus.   The seen of the garden for example, is a "cosmic context."   The two gardens of Eden and where the Resurrection took place as "juxtaposed."  

"in the first, the human family, in the persons of Adam and Eve, lost God's intimacy and friendship; in the second, Mary Magdalene (out of whom Jesus had cast seven devils) appears as the first recipient of the good news that intimacy and union with God are once again available."

"Jesus is the gardener of the New Creation."

At one point in our Gospel narrative the story suddenly changes when Jesus calls her by name.  Keating writes:

"Jesus spoke her name, "Mary!"  Only he could say her name in that way.  Instantly, with the whole of her being, she recognized him and in that moment knew that he had risen from the dead.

In the Scriptures, to be called by name has special significance.  To call someone or something by name is to identify who or what it is."

"By calling her by name, Jesus manifests his knowledge of everything in her life and his total acceptance of all that she is.  This is the moment in which Mary realizes that Jesus loved her.  This is the first step in her transformation.

In the Christian scheme of things, the movement from the human condition to divine transformation requires the mediation of a personal relationship with God.  The personal love of Jesus facilitates the growth of this relationship. The experience of being loved by him draws the Christian out of all selfishness into deeper levels of self-surrender.  How could this movement occur without the conviction of being personally loved by him?  The simple utterance of one word, "Mary!" brought to focus all her longings.  Her response was to throw herself into the arms of Jesus as she cried out in her joy, "Master!"

In these moments, through the Resurrection of Jesus, Mary was resurrectable.   Her moment of vulnerability enabled her to hear the voice of the Risen Christ calling her by name.   Mary's response was to recognize in the Risen Jesus, her Master.  The one who accepted her as she was, and loved her without condition or distinction.

Are we resurrectable?

On the Easter Day, we are met with God's extravagant love that is inclusive and unconditional.   Jesus calls us by our name in the midst of our doubts, fears and chaos.   He offers us the opportunity to know that God has forgiven us and redeemed us through the Blood of Jesus Christ.   We can feast with joy and wonder that God ushered in the New Creation through the Paschal Mystery.

In the Invitatory Psalm for Morning Prayer this week, we pray with one voice: Alleluia, Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  Alleluia.  (See The Book of Common Prayer, p.83)

Are we resurrectable?

Are we ready to set aside all of our prejudices, and live into our Baptismal Vows?   To strive for peace and justice for all people, and to respect the dignity of every human person, with God's help?

Are we resurrectable?

Are we ready to end the sexism that continues to suggest that women are not equal to men, and continue the assault on them in terms of equal work compensation, reproductive health and respect?

Are we ready to reduce the gun violence that is killing innocent women, men and children in our schools and local communities?

Are we interested in calling out the wealthy and powerful who fight the efforts of addressing climate change, to stop polluting our oceans, rivers and end the fracking that is destroying many of our most precious animal sanctuaries?

Are we ready to call out the countries of Uganda, Russia, Nigeria and others about their laws that have further criminalized LGBTQ people in their countries?

Are we ready to say no to the violence between Russia and the Ukraine?

Are we serious about no longer ignoring the pain and the anguish of those who live in poverty, without unemployment benefits, food stamps and the right to vote?

Are we ready to work so that all Christians will end the spiritual and pastoral violence of LGBT people in the Church and society?

Can we please end the violence towards Jews, Muslims and other religions and/or those who practice no religion at all?

The Resurrected Christ saw the pain that was in Mary on that first Easter Day, called her by name, loved her and brought new life to hers.   Mary knew that there was no longer a barrier between God and her, because of Jesus' love for her. 

If Christians are to be resurrectable on this Easter Day, then we must allow Jesus to come to us, call us by name and meet us in the midst of our pain, disbelief and disarray.  As we recognize that Jesus loves us as we are; we must also turn to our neighbor and with that same love, love them as God in Christ has loved us.   Only then, will our Alleluia's really be moments of true joy.   Because we will know in our hearts that the barriers of injustice, oppression and violence that divide us become that which unites us to the Risen Christ and one another.

Are we resurrectable?

Amen.

Prayers

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus
Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of
everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the
day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death
of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.222).

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, p.815).

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. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 818).

Easter Day: He is Not Here. He is Risen. What About You?

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 10:34-43 (NRSV)

Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalm 118 (BCP., p.760) 


1 Corinthians 15:19-26 (NRSV)

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Luke 24:1-12 (NRSV)

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Blog Reflection

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Every time I read those famous words of the Angel: "He is not here, but has risen" I get chills. Good chills.  Chills and tears.  The kind of chills and tears after a long terrible period of depression and anxiety that have given way to joy and happiness.

I wonder what those first women felt when they first heard the news.  They were eye witnesses to the horrible things that took place on Good Friday.  They saw the man who had warmly received them, and loved them so much crucified with nails driven into his hands and feet. They heard his cries: "My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?"  And, "Into your hands, I commend my spirit."   Now, here they stand in front of the tomb.  An empty tomb with the stone turned over.  Only the linen cloths that once wrapped the crucified body of Jesus were left there.  An Angel said to them: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."   How could these words be true?

Perhaps the alternative Gospel Reading for Easter Day might give us some answers.

John 20:1-18 (NRSV)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

 


Now here is something most interesting.  The men who had traveled with Jesus from Galilee all the way to Jerusalem, had no idea.  Did not Jesus tell them several times that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day rise again?  Yet, they still did not understand.   Only Mary Magdalene had the courage of faith to stay at the tomb, to weep and question God in this moment of revelation.  It is when she weeps for the missing body of Jesus that He comes to her and comforts her by seeing His resurrected body, and the news that He is alive.  In that moment, Jesus reveals to her and to us, that His Father is our Father and God.  Our Creator, Redeemer and Life-Giver.

Easter brings us the good news that Jesus is alive.  He is not dead.  Jesus has risen from the dead.   If we do not take the time to pray with tears over our sins, and seek God's mercy in Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit try to live a holy life by loving our neighbor as ourselves, and to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human person; the story of the resurrection remains just a story.  It is just something we celebrate year after year, but it doesn't actually change our lives. 

The resurrection was more than just an event in Salvation History.  The Paschal Mystery is to become transparent through us, so that we and the community around us may be transformed by the unconditional and all-inclusive love of God.  A love that sees beyond someone's "lifestyle" and sees the person as first and foremost a redeemed child of God.  To see that one's sexual orientation is not the whole of a person's life, but it is from there that they have been created to love other people. Whether in platonic, romantic or physical relationships. To consider the possibility, that gender is a vision of God's Being within all persons, and through it, can become the actual person that one was created to be   To know that holiness is a matter of how someone lives out who they are, not a matter of a moral code of rules and laws.  Love shared in a relationship of love, commitment and responsibility is what marriage is all about.  Whether it conforms to a standard of raising children and producing the next generation is for God to decide, not us.  To know that we are always being led into the way of all truth, none of us have actually arrived.

In the resurrection, violence, oppression, marginalization and poverty are absurd.  New life in the Risen Christ, means new life for everyone.  Regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, political affiliation, job, physical/developmental/psychologically challenged, language, class, culture, etc., the Risen Christ is alive for all of us.  To give us in this moment of time and space, a chance to claim our citizenship as people loved and accepted by God and others.

Easter Day means a new beginning from where we were before Lent began.  In the Crucified and Risen Jesus, we have been redeemed and set free to live in the presence of God as holy people.  Holy in the way of realizing that God is God and we are not.  We don't have to compete to be the most respected, prestigious, wealthy or popular.  All we have to do is love.  In the Paschal Mystery, all God did through Christ, was love us all.  So should we do the same.  In the Risen Christ, loving is very possible.

Amen.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia

Prayers

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten
Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection
delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die
daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of
his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Easter Day, Book of Common Prayer, p.222).

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus
Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of
everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the
day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death
of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Easter Day, Book of Common Prayer, p.222).

Fifth Sunday in Lent: From Cana to Bethany, Discipleship Is Costly.

Today's Scripture Readings

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.

John 12:1-8 (NRSV)

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.

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:

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).

Prayers

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).

Tuesday in Easter Week: The Resurrection Should Live In Us

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 2:36-41 (NRSV)

Peter said to the multitude, "Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Psalm 118: 19-24 (BCP, p. 762)


John 20:11-18  (NRSV)

Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Blog Reflection

Alleluia. Christ is risen,
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Gospel reading on this Tuesday in Easter Week is the same one from Easter Day.  Why do you suppose it is here after we already heard it two days earlier?

It is here so that we can continue to celebrate the event of the Lord's resurrection from the dead.  We are to celebrate the resurrection as Christ's Easter People, who are experiencing and giving witness to the Risen Christ in our daily life and work.  In our relationships and in our struggles.  We are to "Give thanks to the Lord who is good, God's mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118: 1).

We Christians especially in the West tend to celebrate Easter at this particular time of the year.  Many of us have just about had it with all the alleluia's in the Daily Office by the time we get to the Second Sunday of Easter.  It is as if we would rather wallow in our misery than celebrate God's victory over death in Christ's resurrection.  That is partly because in our human weakness which includes our limited vision of God, we can only imagine the resurrection, we cannot prove it by human standards.  It is only through faith that we can believe in it.  It is by our actions towards God, others and ourselves that we can give witness to it's reality.

Mary Magdalene was the first to see the Risen Jesus.  Christ came to her as she was weeping, as she was dismayed about where his dead body might be.  When Jesus said her name "Mary" she looked up and recognized him.  Jesus then tells her not to touch him, because he had not yet ascended to his God and our God.

This image of Jesus risen from the dead, coming to one who was weeping with disappointment, fear and discouragement is something we should spend some time meditating on.  We celebrate this week the Easter event in our prayer, Liturgies and in our church activities.  But, our lives are still very broken by sickness, discrimination, violence, much pain and brokenness.  If we will seek out the Risen Lord in our fragile hearts, He will come to us and affirm God's love and claim us as adopted children by way of Christ's redemption of humankind.  Christ who was crucified and now alive in the resurrection, meets us at the point of our sadness and moments of personal growth.  He meets us to tell us that God has forgiven our sins and wants to transform us, to help change the world around us for the better.  We don't have to accept injustice, oppression, prejudice and inequality any longer.  We are God's Easter People reborn in the waters of Baptism, and renewed by God's grace as we celebrate the Paschal Mystery.

The narrative of Christ's resurrection cries out for people who have been marginalized and excluded, to come and be made part of God's family.  To know that all people are loved unconditionally by our God who has triumphed over sin and death.  Sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, race, religion, cultural background, language, employment status, physical/mental/psychological challenges, immigration status, are not barriers for God to continue the work of redemption in our Church and society.  It is through diverse individuals and peoples, that God will tear open the Pandoras Boxes that keep us from loving one another as Christ has loved us.  The resurrection means new and unending life for all people, if only by God's grace expressed through the hearts and work of those who believe in Jesus.  We can grow to respect the dignity of every human being, with God's help, because that is what we have said in our Baptismal Covenant.  God has the power to transform us and the world around us, if we will, with God's help make the effort to do so.

The work of hospitality and reconciliation that is at the heart of the ministry of Jesus Christ, by which we grow in relationships with each other, is the Paschal Mystery active and speaking through our daily lives. As Christ comes to us in our misery and distress, so we in God's Name go to others, to wash their feet and give to them the sign of peace.

Alleluia. Christ is risen,
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Prayers

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus
Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to
light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may
abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the
Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen. (Tuesday in Easter Week, Book of Common Prayer, p. 223).

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten
Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection
delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die
daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of
his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen. (Collect from Easter Day, Book of Common Prayer, p. 222).

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).     

Monday in Holy Week: No Good Deed Goes Unscandalized

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 42: 1-9 (NRSV)

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my spirit upon him;

he will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry or lift up his voice,

or make it heard in the street;

a bruised reed he will not break,

and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;

he will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow faint or be crushed

until he has established justice in the earth;

and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the LORD,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it

and spirit to those who walk in it:

I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,

I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,

a light to the nations,

to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am the LORD, that is my name;

my glory I give to no other,

nor my praise to idols.

See, the former things have come to pass,

and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,

I tell you of them.

Psalm 36: 5-11 (BCP, P. 632)


Hebrews 9: 11-15 (NRSV)

When Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.

John 12: 1-11 (NRSV)

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." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Blog Reflection

In every age since the world began, God sends along someone to communicate with us on God's behalf. The covenant that God established with the people of Israel was given so that they might love the Lord their God with all their being, and love their neighbor as themselves.  Like every group of people, hearing what they were to do and doing it was no easy task.  They found themselves confronted by the choices they had made and what they meant for them as a people.  Injustice was all around them. The world as they knew it was falling apart. God did not leave them alone, but sent God's servant to them to help get the community back on the track towards holiness and justice. The hope that is given by the promise of God's servant in our reading taken from the Hebrew Scriptures today in Isaiah, is also a promise to all of us. God sends us to be God's servants in a world of injustice, oppression and to deliver those who experience isolation and prejudice.

As Christians, God's answer to us in our faith about who our High Priest is, is compared to the Priesthood described in the Hebrew Scriptures.  Because I like to avoid any hint of anti-Semitism, rather than take the path of the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews, I prefer to see it from the point of comparison and contrast. A likeness and difference that allows our Jewish sisters and brothers to worship God through their tradition, free of unfair stereotyping, just as we Christians want to do in ours.  The Priest God sends to us in the Incarnate Word who is Jesus Christ, becomes the sacrifice that would take away our sins and establish a covenant through Baptism.  As Christians continue to enjoy the benefits of the love of God in Christ, we celebrate our redemption because of his willingness to make himself that Paschal Sacrifice through which we pass from death to new and unending life.

In the Gospel for Monday in Holy Week, Mary has done a wonderful and compassionate thing.  Jesus just raised Lazarus from the dead, but the plotting to kill him is getting worse with each passing hour.  He knows that his passion and death are coming very quickly.  Mary, knowing what is going on around Jesus takes on his own nature, and anoints his feet and wipes them with her hair.  She worships Jesus, while seeking to serve him, who was becoming the biggest outcast in the community.  While more and more appear to be hating Jesus because he loved a bit differently, she loves him with a pure and holy love.

Judas, Jesus' betrayer is so filled with jealousy and anger, that he couldn't just let Mary take his moment away.  He had to be the Scrooge of the day.  Just when Mary did a most wonderful deed, Judas has to scandalize it as if it is the worst thing that had just happened.

Are there examples of Christians who have to ruin the day, when someone else has done something so wonderful and compassionate? 

I think of the day that the Episcopal Church ordained our first openly gay Bishop.  An exciting and holy moment in the life of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion world wide happened.  Outside of the ceremony and Mass where Bishop Gene Robinson was consecrated and ordained, was the group from the Westboro Baptist church with their "God Hates Fags" signs.  People chanting: "God hates the Episcopal Church."   Within our own Anglican Communion, those opposed to what happened created divisions around a moment when the Holy Spirit was uniting us with those who were seen as "unfit" for the Office of Bishop.  Such has led to everything from a temporary moratorium to not ordain LGBT Bishops, to the creation of the Anglican Covenant that was just rejected by the Church of England last week.

In States across America that have passed marriage equality laws, Christianist organizations like the National Organization for Marriage, The Catholic church, the Liberty Council and Family Research Councils, have worked to fund and pass constitutional amendments to ban marriage equality for LGBT people.  Last June when the New York State passed marriage equality, while so many of us were celebrating, the Christianist organizations had to roll in with their hate signs and money to take out any legislator who voted in favor of the legislation. 

Last week, our Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori participated in an excellent interview with the Huffington Post.  During her exchange with the reporter, she said:

"The best of scriptural interpretation is about looking at the whole document and the direction in which it is moving rather than pulling out pieces that point to your point of view or prejudice," she said. "When Christians read their scripture that way, they have much more fruitful conversations with Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs who read their scripture that way."

No sooner was this article up, that the Bible beaters immediately began pulling out Scripture verses defending their biases towards the ordination of women, LGBT people and so forth.  They just couldn't wait to prove her point.

What was happening around Jesus from the beginning of his public ministry right to the Cross, is that his enemies could not help themselves to cease scandalizing every good word he spoke and deed he had performed.  Anything that took away from the prestige and power of those in authority over others, just couldn't be allowed to be anything other than a violation of their rule book.

Jesus goes to the Cross for all of us who have had the best of intentions, only to be scandalized, ridiculed and marginalized.  Even those of us who are LGBT people who just want to get married to the person we love for no other reason, other than the fact that we love another person of the same sex.  Our wanting to be with our spouses through those good times and bad times, in sickness and in health, till death due us part, just cannot be understood for what it is.   A gay man tending to his partner who is dying of AIDS, cannot be seen as a husband caring for his sick husband.  He has to be deemed by Christianists as a threat to the safety of children and families.  Jesus' Passion this week, is about all of us who have been there, and done that.

The Cross is about all of our sufferings and pains, every injustice and scandal that comes our way.   Not only is the Cross about accepting those things, but it is also about trusting in God even when the worst of injustices happens to us.  Even if they result in our death, when we trust in God and do God's will without turning back or giving up, there is resurrection awaiting us on Easter Day.


Prayers

Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but
first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he
was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and
peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.  (Collect for Monday in Holy Week, Book of Common Prayer, p. 220).

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.  (Collect for Ash Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 217).

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).   

St. Mary Magdalene: A Woman Who Witnessed Jesus' Death and Resurrection

John 20:11-18 (NRSV)

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

A couple of years ago the greatest scandal arose because of Dan Brown's "The Davinci Code" in which Brown suggested the possibility that Mary Magdalene was secretly married to Jesus.  Anytime anyone suggests that the Lord Jesus had any kind of love life with anyone, there is an uproar of the worst kind because of how it affects our traditional thinking of Jesus and those with whom he associated.  I would be lying if I said that I myself am not still addicted to thinking of Jesus in the way the Catholic church may have taught me to think of him.  Fortunately, the Episcopal Church is a little more open to possibilities that may or may not be quite so traditional.  A good challenge is never a bad thing.

While we cannot say for sure whether or not Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had children, what we can say is that there must have been an extraordinary relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.   Was it the fact that Jesus looked at someone like Mary Magdalene and saw her as more than a piece of property?  That is how women were viewed in that time.  Do you think Jesus drew Mary Magdalene because he saw beyond her life as a former prostitute, but saw that she was so much more than a paying man's sex slave?   Whatever Jesus saw in Mary Magdalene it is very clear from the stories about her in the Gospels, that Jesus had a profound affect on the life of this woman.  Jesus has an amazing way of impacting our lives so that whatever happened when we first meet him, our lives are never the same after.  

Why do you suppose Mary Magdalene was among the first women to find Jesus alive after his resurrection?  There was something about that relationship that was just awesome.  It was love, devotion, a conversion experience, yes.  Faith in a way that most of men know about, but perhaps it has to do with Mary's feminine openness to God, that kept her faith so alive as she stood with Mary the Bearer of God and John the Apostle at the foot of the Cross.

One of the most powerful scenes in Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth is when Mary Magdalene goes to tell the hidden and frightened Disciples that Jesus was alive.  When all of the men question the accuracy of Mary's story among the things she said was: "Was his death a fantasy?  I saw him die. I was there and I wept at his feet.  Why then should he not appear to me?  He has risen!  He told me to tell you, and I have done so." 

Mary Magdalene had a faith that was so strong, that when all of the other men fled in their wimpy fear, she stood strong and courageous.  Though she must have been terrified and totally heart broken, she stood there and wept at the sight of the man who had forgiven her, bleeding and dying.  How interesting though, when she was at the tomb and he was not there, she did not know that he had probably risen.  However, when she was at her lowest point it was then that the Savior made himself present to her and told her to go and tell the Disciples.  Wow!  If that does not fly in the face of our masculine driven society and Church, I do not know what will. 

There are those, such as Bishop Gene Robinson who say that it is the fear of women that makes our society and the Church afraid of homosexuality.  Because many in society and the Church see women as the "weaker" of the human species, there is the tendency to continue to stereotype women and consequently LGBTQ people in negative ways.  When stereotyping is acceptable and as a result such stereotypes become in trenched in the minds of people, they unfortunately become the way people think and behave.  I truly believe that this is among the reasons why Scripture is so badly twisted out of context to support the subordination of women, the discrimination of LGBTQ people, people of various races, religions, cultures, classes and challenges.  As long as a fifth grade understanding of interpreting the Bible literally remains the weapon of choice for conservative Christians, the violence that occurs towards women, LGBTQ and other oppressed minorities will continue to challenge the Church and society.  As long as among the results of Biblical literalism is trying to put God the Holy Spirit and consequently people of different classes, colors, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions, genders and the like into a Pandoras Box, the Church will continue to minister as though Jesus Christ was still dead in the tomb. 

I believe the greatness of Mary Magdalene's faith, was that she knew what new life in Jesus Christ meant.  She knew that Jesus Christ gave her the dignity that being a woman meant, and in his life, death and resurrection, he changed her life forever.  In recognizing her beauty as a beloved daughter of God, Jesus raised the life of Mary Magdalene up to be a "new person" in Christ.  So God does with LGBTQ people who can be beautiful people just as we are, yet, committed to who Jesus Christ is and what he can do for us.  God does not ask that we change our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression anymore than he asks a women to cease being a women unless she or he is transgendered.  What God in Jesus does challenge us to do, is place who we are, who and how we love, and who we are really meant to be into the hands of God in Jesus Christ so that like Mary Magdalene we too may know the new life of the risen Christ.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Commemoration of Mary Magdalene, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, Page 481).

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.   (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, Page 231).

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, Page 833).