Nevertheless, She Persisted

“Nevertheless, she persisted” has become a popular political slogan. It is oft quoted and seen blazoned on T-shirts and other similar items of apparel.

The quote originated in 2017 when Senator Elizabeth Warren was reading a letter penned by Coretta Scott King. It was objected to, but Warren was allowed to continue reading until finally after another objection a vote silenced her. In summing up the reason she was silenced Senator Mitch McConnell explained, “Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” (see below)

“Nevertheless, she persisted” immediately caught the public’s attention and has been used multiple times since. Persistence in the face of adversity is seen as a good thing. Maybe, “good” is too mild a word, maybe I should substitute excellent or exemplary instead. Over the last two years as a practice, persistence has been highly esteemed.

As I read the lectionary passage for today the phrase came to the forefront of my mind and thinking. The parable is the tale of a judge and a widow (Luke 18: 1-8). Persistence is exactly the virtue being celebrated in the text. The story tells of a judge who feared and respected neither God nor humanity and a widow who wanted justice against an adversary. Ultimately the widow received justice only because she continued to badger the judge. It could be said of the widow, “Nevertheless she persisted.”

The text continues telling those early disciples to persist in a like manner, crying out night and day until, ultimately, they will receive justice. This may be manifested as the return of the child of humanity. 

An interesting parable As I read it through, it seemed to me that this particular passage was a later addition to the gospel. It reads like a story added to encourage the people who were by then under severe persecution.  They were not to give up crying out to God. Their hope was that they would eventually receive justice. This text was to encourage them on their journey through persecution.

Yet, like most texts read, it will yield a blessing. I think the blessing here is to be found in encouraging the virtue of persistence especially in the face of adversity.  Adversity can describe anything from life-threatening persecution to mild discomforts. It is part of the human journey, and persistence can bring great reward.

I think most people reading this will have heard me tell a little about our hike in the summer. It was an incredible experience. The first day on a cliff top path we struggled through high winds (my sister and I were both blown over) and driving torrential rain. We needed persistence to continue. The ensuing rewards of warm and shelter when we reached our first night destination were great.

Of course, that example is a little flippant as we chose to hike for pleasure (although we did hope for better weather!). More seriously, Elizabeth Warren must have felt devastated. It must have seemed that she had been treated unjustly when she was silenced. Yet, look how her persistence turned out. Warren was given “a far bigger megaphone than if they had simply let her continue speaking in what had been a mostly empty chamber . . .”  (see below)

Many times, the adversities we face are not of one’s own choosing. Yet, the message of this text remains the same — persistence. 

“Nevertheless, she/he/they persisted” has become a wonderful adage to live by.

(https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/02/08/nevertheless-she-persisted-becomes-new-battle-cry-after-mcconnell-silences-elizabeth-warren/)

Increase my Faith?

“Increase my faith.” 

That is the plea of the disciples to Jesus. There was no supernatural impartation of faith. Instead, the reply they received probably surprised them. They were simply told that if they had faith as small as a mustard seed they could uproot a big tree and replant it in the sea. The example seems a little ridiculous — obviously hyperbole. I have never heard of anyone moving a tree other than by some pretty hard work. 

I do remember many years ago an older woman telling me that if she had enough faith she would never die. In her eyes, any lack of healing and renewing of the physical body was due to insufficient faith. There was no moving her from her belief, or as she considered it, her faith.

So, reading today’s passage causes me to ponder what is meant by faith here? What is it the disciples are seeking? Of course, it would be easy to say they wanted more faith in God and leave it there. However, that would not do justice to the text. It simply does not read that way.

The example given points to faith being paralleled to obedience. The passage says that the tree would “obey” the command to move to the sea. The second illustration is about slavery. Obviously somewhat distasteful to twenty-first century eyes. In the story the poor slave came in from hard labour and was expected to do more work around the house and serve their owner. The text even makes it clear that there was no kindness or consideration for the slave simply an expectation of obedience to their tasks. 

This seems to be the expectation for the disciples that they do all that has been ordered them. In this passage obedience is faith. I turned to the previous chapter to read the whole dialogue to try and get an idea of the things they were expected to be obedient in. 

It is quite revealing. The stories there are all of care for the poor, sick and needy. 

I think faith is multifaceted Today’s story seems to illustrate one aspect of it — faith has an outworking of care for the poor and needy. It is in obeying this command that faith is increased. Therefore, I can join the disciples of old and say, “Increase my faith.”


(Photo: Bald Cypress Trees: Trap Pond, Delaware 2019.)

Confusion, Confusion, Confusion!

What a confusing parable! The fact that it is confusing seems to be the one point of agreement from all the various expositors of today’s lectionary reading (Luke 16: 1-13). 

The story is a strange and unsettling one. On first reading it feels wrong. The parable focuses on a rich landowner and his manager. As was the custom of the day, the manager (or steward) stood between the landowners and the peasant farmers and tenants. The manager negotiated the sale of oil, wheat and other goods plus collecting the rents. Managers were in a privileged position. It was customary for the manager to add a little interest to each bill for personal gain. As long as the landowner continued to get wealthy, they tended to ignore this practice. The custom of adding interest was commonplace although was spoken against in several places in the Jewish scriptures (example Leviticus 25: 36-38). 

Of course, in all these transactions the people who suffered were the tenants and peasant farmers — they were voiceless and powerless. 

Yet, the manager too was in precarious position depending completely on staying in favour with the landowner. Although he enjoyed the benefits of additional finances it may not have felt a secure lifestyle. 

I want to interject here with a comment which I have made many times before. I feel it is important to keep in mind when interpreting—or trying to interpret—parables. Don’t assign God or Jesus as the principle character. Simply understand parables as little stories told as illustrations of point, albeit sometimes an obscure point. If one assigns roles it often leads to complications when the leading character exhibits traits one would rather not associate with God. This parable is a wonderful example of that. If all parables are seen as containing veiled references to God, then right at the outset problems would occur in this one. If God is assumed to be the rich landowner, then God is getting wealthy by exploiting the poor tenants. Personally, if I wanted to assign roles, I would prefer to subvert the parable and find God/Jesus in the peasant farmers and tenants who were powerless and voiceless. 

Anyway, back to the story — the landowner told the manager that he was going to lose his position. There are no details given as to what prompted this, but I will make the assumption that dishonesty of some kinds involved.  The manager is later referred to as dishonest, which shouldn’t be confused with shrewd which is lauded. The manager reflects that he is unfit for other means of subsistence so makes an alternate plan. Immediately he met with all the debtors and lowered their bills.  He wanted to ensure he would be welcome in their homes in his altered circumstances. This is quite interesting, as he is starting to identify with and presume help from those previously exploited. Maybe the beginning of change.

Rather than being annoyed by this action the rich landowner commended his manager for acting shrewdly thus ensuring that he kept his position. It is a difficult story to understand, I doubt there is any one definitive understanding.

I am going to offer for perusal a couple of thoughts I had while reading the parable.

Firstly, whatever the reason it came about the main beneficiaries in the parable are the poor who had their bills lowered. I think it is important that this point is not lost. Whatever the motives the poor benefitted. 

Maybe, the accusations of dishonesty served as a challenge to the manager. His lowering of the bills was presumably by removing the interest — the percentages given in the parable were the normal percentage charged for oil and wheat. Could the manager be showing a newfound compassion for the poor? 

In turn, perhaps the manager challenged the landowner about his practices. Maybe it even served as a reminder of the law about interest which would leave no alternative but to commend the steward. 

In the Gospel of Luke this parable is certainly grouped with those showing compassion for those who are oppressed. If I view the parable this way it can offer me a challenge for contemporary times. In what ways are the poor exploited?  Something well-worth pondering about in both the local and global arenas. 

Secondly, I thought about the steward being commended for being shrewd. His shrewdness focused on planning for his future. I think this is a point worth noting. Certainly, I have met people who believe that it is wrong to plan for the future, trusting in God for provision for their older age. I have even heard people try to make others feel guilty about future financial plans they make, even to the point of seeing future planning as a lack of faith. Of course, I respect their personal views. 

Yet this parable highly values responsible planning for future well-being. It is heralded as a very good thing. It is not a lack of faith. In the parable it is even rewarded. Provision for the future is well-worth thinking about. 

Kindness Matters.

How people relate to each other is important. I suspect everyone has at some time or other met an unkind person, maybe even been wounded by their words. Or seen an unkind action towards a child, or a dog or a friend. It is not pleasant to witness. The media often highlights unkind deeds or words. So much so that if one hears about or sees an unkind act to another human or non-human it jars the psyche. It simply feels wrong.

Fortunately, there is also a lot of kindness in the world. Most people are kind to each other, to strangers in the street, to animals. Hearing or witnessing acts of kindness make people feel good about the world they live in.

Today’s lectionary reading illustrates an act of kindness. The story (Luke 13:1017) is about a woman who for eighteen years had been crippled, unable to stand up straight. Jesus spoke to her and healed her. She immediately stood upright and began praising God. 

A good outcome, a woman healed and praising God. Surely all around should be rejoicing with her. After eighteen years she could stand up straight. Maybe her friends were all delighted but not everyone was.

The story continues, the leader of the synagogue was annoyed because she had been cured on the sabbath day. Jesus was told that he should not have healed her —shown kindness to her—on the sabbath day. 

The feminist in me can’t help but wonder if the response would have been the same if it had been a man healed. If one of their own had been the recipient of the healing and started praising God.  Would they too have been rejoicing? 

However, back to the text. Jesus responded by calling them hypocrites. Religion could not be used to justify unkindness. That thought alone causes me to reflect on all the times I have heard religion used to be unkind to someone who may believe or live a little differently. Right here, in today’s text, that thinking is condemned. Kindness matters.

Jesus reminded those opposing the healing that each of them was kind to their donkeys and oxen. Freeing them to walk and drink water on the sabbath. Was this women’s bondage less important?  

Happily, in this tale, the opponents in the crowd received the condemnation and joined in the rejoicing.

So, kindness matters. Jesus healed on the sabbath day. One could say that kindness was more important than pushing that law to extremes. Of course, I’m not advocating a Robin Hood type laying aside of laws and going out robbing the rich to feed the poor!  But sometimes, one needs to set aside ones’ own routines, one’s own rules to show kindness.

One of the small (but important) sections in the State teaching for new foster carers is entitled “Unspoken Rules”. It is intended to illustrate that everyone has personal unspoken rules which often need to be set aside to show kindness. Often, they are not recognized as rules until exposed as such. One of the mild examples illustrating this is seating — chairs around the dining table or around the television set. Often people have their own preferred seat. I know Andy and I nearly always sit in the same spot. It is an unspoken rule that Andy always goes to the end of the sofa near the window! A teenager or child, new to the household, may be told sit anywhere but could face unspoken antagonism if they picked someone else’s seat. The message is seating is unimportant. Our unspoken —unrevealed—rules are unimportant.  Kindness matters.

Maybe there is an outing planned for the day. Just as the search for the car keys begins there is a knock at the door. A friend stands there, “I’m sorry to interrupt but I’ve had an awful morning.” Immediately, plans for the outing are abandoned, the friend invited in and the kettle put on. Kindness matters.

I think the reading today illustrates this very important point. It is a rule to build one’s life on. Kindness matters.

We have One Life.

We have one life. 

This phrase has been playing in my mind all week. I can’t get it out of my head. The thought arrived a few days ago as I was reading and pondering the Gospel text designated for today (Sunday).  

We have one life. 

In the lectionary passage (Luke 12: 13-21) a story is recited. It is the tale of a young man who has over-abundance produced on his land. He wonders what to do with the excess which far exceeds his needs. In the story, he decides to build bigger barns and store enough that it will last him for many years. His plan was to “eat, drink and be merry” but then, the story tells us, that night he lost his life and all his abundance of wealth amounted to nothing.

Now, I have heard this story pushed to ridiculous extremes where it has been said that it is wrong to have pensions (Social Security) or make any provision for the future. In contemporary times, that may not be the wisest course of action but I don’t wish to dwell there today.

My thoughts all focused around my phrase mentioned above — we have one life. 

There is no choice about only having one life — there is no second earthly life. Furthermore, no-one knows how long that life will be. Therefore, it is really important to live that life as well as possible. In the context of the parable, I think this could be summed up as live generously.

Although the text talks about the young man having an abundance of riches. I don’t read anywhere in the passage that it was wrong for him to have these riches. This is not a parable against having riches. The parable was told to illustrate this one point, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” 

So, live that one life generously. 

Generous with possessions,

generous with time,

people sharing what they have and what they are.

Currently, it grieves me to see the rise in racism and xenophobia.  Sadly, this was illustrated once again by many precious lives lost in two separate shooting incidents in the last 24 hours. 

As I read the reports I cannot help but link this to the message of this parable. This rise in racism and xenophobia reflects a need to be selfish, to be greedy, to not to want to share with others who may look or speak a little differently. Why is that a threat? Why not be generous? Why not open our arms and embrace all?  

Perhaps, in contemporary times, this also illustrates another area where living generously is necessary — being generous with our voices. Refusing to remain silent in the face of injustice. Raising our voices for those who have no voice.

We have one life.

Don’t waste that life,

Find joy in that life,

Be generous with that life,

Make that life count.

Peace to this House

As I read the gospel text for today as often happens, one phrase caught my attention. Today’s story is about seventy people being sent out in pairs to every town with various instructions about what to do and what not to do. 

The sentence I spent time pondering is I think, perhaps, the most important sentence in the passage. It reads, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ (Luke 10:5).

What a lovely idea. Maybe, one that needs reviving in contemporary times. Sometimes when invited to someone’s home for dinner I take some flowers, chocolates, local coffee or some other token of appreciation. Other times, I just pop into a neighbour’s home for a cup of tea and simply bring a greeting. Whatever the occasion or the means of entering another’s home, imagine if each time we took a blessing of peace. Maybe it wouldn’t be the exact same words as used in the gospel, but the intention of bringing and giving peace.

Would that then influence conversations, set the tone for an afternoon and evening together? I would like to think so.

Personal peace is often a strange concept to express in words. It is much more of an inner knowing than a definition. I think most people know inwardly what it is, that sense of calm and well-being with an absence of strife. Andy and I have spent two weeks holidaying in our camper van. We headed for sunshine and the beach. Altogether, we stayed in four different campsites each brought us a sense of peace. We experienced the quiet of standing by the ocean with empty sands stretching in both directions or being by a lake without a ripple on the water. I posted a picture of one of the places we visited. A friend commented, “it looks peaceful.” My response was, “It is.”  We felt peaceful. 

Of course, the idea of “peace to this house” could be expanded into our whole sphere of life. Not just a blessing of peace to those whose homes are entered but to those met daily —at work, at the shops, on the street. I am sure if I lived daily giving out peace, peace would return to me and affect my life too.

And the idea can be expanded again and again, to those not met face to face. Nowadays many conversations take place over the internet for all to see. Many are fun and lighthearted, but sometimes I cringe when I read a comment intended to cause hurt to another. Why not replace causing harm with bringing a blessing of peace?

Currently much concern is being expressed about the treatment of those seeking refuge over borders. What an awful situation it is. Imagine if those seeking safety were met with a blessing of peace. How could unkind treatment ensue if that was first uttered? 

Many other situations can be imagined where bringing that initial blessing of peace would change lives and situations — too numerous to mention!

So, for today, I’ll conclude by saying “peace to your house”.

Re-Visioning Ministry: Breathe, Wind and Fire!

Re-visioning ministry — that was the title of our Beltane retreat this year. What a fantastic weekend it has been. This morning the community received a new novice, two people were ordained to the priesthood and one to the diaconate. For each of them it is a new step in their life and ministry. Others at the retreat shared about the way their personal ministry has been re-visioned as their journeys have twisted and turned with each new stage of life.

Today it is Pentecost Sunday — the time when the church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. A very important day in the church’s calendar. Surely, for those early disciples, this was the ultimate re-visioning of ministry. They had been followers of Jesus, going where Jesus chose and doing what Jesus suggested, now they were thrust into a new phase of ministry. The time for grief and retrospection had past. The time for moving forward and stepping out in new directions had arrived.

Scripture gives us two accounts of the giving of the Holy Spirit— both are full of wonder. They are surrounded by mystery, in many ways they are unfathomable. A mystery that cannot really be defined in only one word. It was breath, it was wind, it was fire. Pulsating with life. So vibrant that lives were changed and events, previously unimagined, were experienced.

One account of the giving of the Spirit is in the Gospel of John (20:18-21). Imagine the scene. The disciples were sad and scared. The text reveals that they were behind locked doors because of their fear that they too would be captured and, I suppose, crucified. Then amazingly Jesus came and stood among them. What a mystery! Not only was he there but he spoke to them, “Peace be with you.” Imagine being so scared that even the room had to be locked and the first thing given was a blessing of peace. It was exactly what they needed. Then Jesus breathed into them and uttered a second phrase — “Receive the Holy Spirit.” And something happened, something changed. The disciples were no longer huddled scared in a room, they went out on the lake fishing.

The other account is in the book of Acts (2:1-4). Those verses were the lectionary passage for today. Again, I can only imagine the fear and sadness as the story tells us they were all together. Suddenly something happened. Here too something was seen and felt. It was described as a violent wind and tongues of fire. Again, the story of the giving of the Spirit is full of mystery. It feels like the author of Acts was trying to find words to describe an experience that was really beyond the limits of human language.

Whichever way the Pentecost experience is described, it caused a huge change. People who were scared and sad were suddenly re-vitalised. What a re-visioning of ministry! I wonder if any of those people who walked with Jesus would ever have thought where they would end up. What a roller-coaster ride they had been on. Now the disciples were ready to begin the new phase of their ministry. They were passionate about their calling. They could bring about change. The disciples went out ready to fulfil the ministry they were called too.

All this weekend we have talked about re-visioning ministry. I find the ideas contained in these two accounts helpful. They were key as the disciples prepared for their life’s work.  Perhaps they are important to consider every time ministry is revisioned. 

The quietness of peace — an inner state which is reflected for others to see in the outer being. 

The vibrance of experience — the breath, the wind, the fire which keeps the life and vitality in ministry.

The commitment to the work of one’s calling — keeping going, following a calling is not always easy. 

Blessings this Pentecost as ministry is re-visioned and new steps of the journey are begun.

Noticing Gender Bias.

Last week Andy and I attended the Adoption and Foster Family Coalition, New York (AFFCNY) conference. We had the privilege of presenting two seventy-five minute workshops that we entitled Minimizing Harm in Transitions. The conference was excellent and we had the opportunity to attend several other workshops throughout the three days.

I attended one led by Judge Karen Peters and Kristen Anne Conklin Esq. It was a brilliant and informative session. They talked about the NYS Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Childrenof which Judge Peters is the chair and Kristen Conklin is the Executive Director. It is a fantastic initiative (see http://www.nycourts.gov/ip/justiceforchildren/index.shtml)

One of the objectives they talked about is “Girls Justice.” This much-needed initiative speaks to the increased number of girls in the justice system and their needs. Of course, much more complex than my one sentence summary. Their research also reflects the gender bias that still exists.

So, with those thoughts buzzing around my head I read the lectionary for today (Sunday). One of the readings is Acts 16:16-34. As I read it I couldn’t help but notice the same gender bias and lack of compassion for the girl in the tale.

The text is a story about an incident during Paul and Silas’ travels. They were journeying in Philippi. Briefly, a slave girl followed them shouting comments to them. Ultimately, they quieted her by casting a demon out of her. An action which resulted in Paul and Silas being arrested and gaoled. During the night an earthquake broke open the prison walls. They didn’t escape and the jailor was so thankful he became a follower of God and was baptized. A many faceted tale!

The gender bias was glaringly apparent as I read this story. What a difference in the treatment of the slave girl and the jailor. Of course, there may be a social class bias too but for today I’ll remain with the gender bias.

The slave girl was doing her job of divining (awful as it may have been). Her shouted out words annoyed Paul and Silas. The passage does not tell that they looked at her with compassion or that they felt sorry for her predicament thus wanting to help her. No, their motivation was that they were annoyed, and, most probably, irritated by her. So, they used their power to stop her. 

Paul and Silas had deprived her of her livelihood yet offered nothing in exchange. The passage adds that her owner became angry which could not have been good for her. This poor, unnamed woman went from a really bad situation into an even worse one. As I read the story I can only conclude that Paul and Silas did not see this slave girl as a person, merely an irritation to be dealt with.

This is in stark contrast to the story of the jailor. Paul and Silas did not fare well after their treatment of the slave girl due to the anger of her owners. They were arrested, beaten, put in innermost cells and shackled in the stocks. Later that night, an earthquake opened the doors and released the shackles. The jailor was so upset he was going to commit suicide presumably because he would incur the wrath of his supervisors for not doing his job. Paul and Silas called to the jailor not to do so as they had not escaped. 

What a contrast! The slave girl was left to the anger of her owners. The jailor was saved from the anger of his superiors. This time Paul and Silas did have compassion for the outcome. 

The story continues. The act of compassion from Paul and Silas caused the jailor to embrace a belief in God. The girl was sadly not afforded that opportunity. 

So, I ask myself, “In the eyes of Paul and Silas was the life of a male jailor worth more than that of a female slave?”

Sadly, my conclusion must be “yes”.

I don’t highlight this gender bias because I am surprised by it — actually I expected it. 

I highlighted it because it still exists today. Unfortunately, I don’t have to look too hard to find this gender bias. The conference session I attended focused on just one aspect of this gender bias, but it is everywhere.

The important questions to ask myself—

“What can I do to stand for gender injustice?”

“How can I speak up when I become aware of such a situation?”

“How can I be an advocate for those involved?”

An Idle Tale

Christ is Risen

Christ is Risen Indeed.

The lectionary for Easter Sunday offers two accounts of the resurrection. The choice is the story in the Gospel of John or the Gospel of Luke. I read through them both, the phrase that really caught my attention was “these words seemed to them an idle tale” (Luke 24:11). 

Each account of the resurrection has some minor differences. In Luke’s story the spices were being taken to the tomb in the early morning. One presumes to continue the practice of preparation of the body, which may have been interrupted by the Sabbath. 

It was a party of women, three of whom are named —Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James — they found no body. In the Lucan account, they met two men who spoke to them. “Why do you look for the living amongst the dead?” Then proceeded to remind the women that on the third day Christ would rise. 

The women returned to the disciples. The text doesn’t tell us how they returned. Were they quiet and ponderous or running and happy?  I can imagine a lot of conflicting emotions — perhaps some joy, perhaps some hope, perhaps some confusion, perhaps some fear.

They reached the disciples and told their story. Initially they were not believed. The apostles thought it “an idle tale”. Did they dismiss it because it was women who testified of it? Or, was it simply too incredulous? I wonder if I had been one hearing from the women would I, too, have dismissed it as an idle tale. Ultimately, Peter decided to check out the story and was amazed also to find the empty tomb.

This “idle tale” is the foundation of the Christian faith. 

This “idle tale” has brought hope to millions of people worldwide. 

This “idle tale” reminds us of the cyclical nature of life—death—life. A cycle that is reflected each year in nature. 

This “idle tale” fills with overwhelming joy.

What a powerful story. What a powerful “idle tale.”

Christ is Risen

Christ is Risen Indeed.

Happy Easter

Doing the Unexpected!

The gospel reading for today is the story of Mary anointing Jesus with costly perfume. (John 12:1-8) Jesus and the disciples were once again together in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. The author of the Gospel of John brings to the readers’ attention that Lazarus was the one raised from the dead. I’m sure the occasion was a happy one, maybe they were celebrating Jesus’ role in that resurrection. The text announces that the dinner was in Jesus honour. 

This story is also recorded in the other gospels. Today, I’m only going to focus on the Johannine account. Although many details are different —for instance the woman is unnamed in two accounts —it is clearly the same tale. 

I think the most important thing to note is that Mary did the unexpected. She stepped outside the acceptable role for women of the day. It is easy to miss the impact of this in the familiarity of the story about Martha and Mary. Often, we read it as if Martha took the role of service and Mary the more spiritual route, like these were their permanent roles.

I prefer to think of Mary’s action as an aberration. She stepped out of role and did the unexpected. It was noted as such as it caused a reaction from the disciples. Maybe it even sent a shockwave through them. A powerful woman stepping out of her place!

Mary anointed his feet with costly oil. This is a powerful prophetic action which is almost unequalled in the gospels. 

The story tells us that Mary had purchased the perfume to “keep it for the day of [Jesus] burial” (8). Yet, she chose to anoint him that day. I repeat — a powerful prophetic action which is almost unequalled in the gospels.

I often wonder how Mary felt. It certainly can’t have been easy for her to do this. It is never easy to go against the status quo. Maybe it is worth realizing how hard this action must have been for Mary. Yet this one deed, this significant anointing, caused her to earn her place in history.

There is also a sort irony in this story. One worth pondering for the last weeks of Lent. At a celebration for Lazarus who was “raised from the dead” (1) Jesus was anointed for his own death.

I want to glance briefly at the role of Judas in this story. He queried whether the perfume should have been sold and given to the poor. The writer of the gospel notes in parenthesis that Judas wanted to steal the money. However, they would not have known that at the time. I often wonder if it wasn’t merely a later attempt to show that Judas was always bad! If not, why let him handle the finances? Imagine if Peter or John had been the ones to query whether the money should be given to the poor. Would it have sounded different? 

Jesus message had consistently been to side with the poor and marginalized, yet here he was lauding Mary’s action. Clearly, this shows the importance of this one prophetic action. In this story, this single action takes precedence over caring for the poor. This is not a light thing. Another part of this story well-worth reflecting on. 

Mary performed a powerful prophetic act. She stepped out of her expected role. She broke the stereotype of how a woman had to behave. Mary, and a few other women like her, made the gospel relevant for women. She helped to form and change Christianity, and continues to do whenever her story is revisited.

Second Chances

The lectionary gospel reading today is a strange little passage.  Sometimes, this kind of text makes one wonder whether simply to ignore it and turn to the Epistle. I must confess I considered doing just that, but decided to remain with the gospel. I want to do what theologian Phylis Trible suggests, shake the text until it yields a blessing.

The first part of the reading talks about a couple of incidents where people are killed horribly. Although the stories lack in-depth detail, it seems one group dies at the hands of another and the other group died when a tower fell on them. The dialogue is not very uplifting so I’m not going to expand on it (Luke 13: 1-5). I think, maybe the only positive thought to take away is that these horrible events weren’t a punishment from God. The author of the Gospel concludes that these people were no worse than anyone else even though these bad things happened to them.

The short passage then moves to a parable purportedly told by Jesus. Parables are always interesting so I’m going to focus there. First, I am going to talk about how I understand parables. I know I’ve talked about it before but I think it is important. A parable is a story to illustrate a point, usually just a single idea. The details tell the story, they make it exciting for the former listeners or present day readers, yet they are often not so important. 

So, I think it is a mistake to try to read too much into the detail. What often happens is that each character in the story is assigned a role — this person represents God, or Jesus, or the gentiles etc. If one takes the parable in such a way there often follows a torturous and often wordy explanation of it. The problem with using this approach is that the character assigned acts or speaks in a way that is, well, out of character. One clear example is the parable of the talents (Matt 25) where the man handing out talents before going on a journey is often interpreted (or assigned) as God. Yet, the character is described as a harsh man. Not really a good description of God. I have read several accounts of why the person is described that way, none of them really satisfy me. 

Therefore, I prefer to read parables as stories, characters don’t need to represent God or any other person or nation. The main point is the important thing. That is the message of the parable. 

Today’s short parable (Luke 13: 6-9) talks about a man who had a fig tree which bore no fruit. He approached the gardener asking him to cut it down. The gardener persuaded the owner to allow him to give the tree some extra care and see what happened. The owner agreed.

As I read this several times, I thought of second chances. I think that may be the main point. This was the blessing I could get as I shook this text — there are second chances. I think that is applicable both in my own life but also in how I treat others. Give second chances, apply some loving care and wait to see what blooms.

Be blessed.  

(Photo: Great Falls, Washington DC, February 2019)

A Theological Shift: Fear to Friendship.

Today is the last Sunday of Epiphany. It is also Transfiguration Sunday when the story of Jesus and three companions going up to the mountain is read. A familiar story repeated in all three of the synoptic gospels. So, of course, I have blogged about this story many times before. Today I am going to focus on a couple of aspects of the tale.

Mountains are wonderful. I love to hike up them (although I prefer safe paths) and I love to see them towering above me when I drive or walk past them. There is always something exhilarating about mountains. I remember hiking in the lake district (NW England). As one hikes up the hill sometimes it feels like the end is in sight but then as one continues the walk upward the realization that it was just another ridge and the mountain continues. Yet, when the summit is reached it is a wonderful feeling of achievement.  

In today’s story (Luke 9: 28-36) Jesus, John, James and Peter went up a mountain to pray. The text does not include any details of their journey into the mountains. I have no idea how arduous the hike was or how long it took them. I can only imagine, I think it must have been quite a journey as passage reports that Jesus’ companions were “weighed down with sleep.”

Regardless of how difficult the walk it was so worth the journey. They saw an amazing sight. I imagine it was something they never forgot. I think in every person’s journey through life, there are some amazing mountain experiences. These are highlights. Special moments that remain forever in one’s memory. But it is not just having a good memorable experience. It is more than that, they impart something that brings change. I’m sure Peter, James and John were not the same after their mountain experience. 

Yet, the thing about mountain experiences is one doesn’t remain there. When Andy and I hike in the Lakes and reach a summit we enjoy the experience. We are exhilarated to have reached the top. We may linger and enjoy the view, we may rest awhile absorbing the beauty of the place. Then we start back down to the valley. That is where we live and work.

It was the same for James, John and Peter. The mountain experience was a source of nourishment. It was a special time. They would never be quite the same again. I’m sure the memory of it carried them through the hard times to come. It was also preparation for their everyday work. The went down the mountain and continued the work of ministry.

I think something else happened in this story. There was a theological shift in how God is viewed. There are a few stories in the New Testament which seem to have extra special significance. I think this is one of them. 

In all three of the synoptic gospels this story follows Peter’s acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah. Peter has recognized Jesus as Messiah even though others thought he may be Elisha or another risen prophet. Then in this transfiguration vision the disciples saw three figures who they interpreted as Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Peter impetuously wanted to build three booths but at that point a cloud overshadowed the three disciples.

The text comments, “They were terrified” (34). Andy and I have been overshadowed by a cloud on a mountain. It is a pretty scary thing. We had hiked up a mountain called Coniston Old Man. We set off in brilliant sunshine, although it got progressively colder and wetter, but as we reached the summit the cloud came down. It was disorienting. We could not see the path in front of us. I imagine the disciples felt the same disorientation, but for them there was a significant difference. 

I’m sure it wasn’t just the effect of the cloud that terrified them. It was the whole scenario.  It was the presence of Moses and Elijah. They were inside a cloud which had echoes of the story of God speaking with Moses. The Old Testament God could be a somewhat fearful presence. That theme repeats itself throughout the story of Moses. 

In this transfiguration story a change happens. I think a significant change. A new view of God is revealed. No longer a God to be feared but a kinder, gentler view is presented. I really like the phrase in Matthew’s version of the story where he says, “Jesus came and touched them,” and said, “Don’t be afraid” (Matt 17:8).  I love this new view of God that is portrayed. A God that tells the disciples no longer to be fearful, a God who touches as a friend. I think this is really important.

Acceptance and Rejection

Today’s lectionary passage (Luke 4: 21-44) is a very strange one. The text even seems to start in the wrong place, half way through an event. I read it through several times with conflicting thoughts and ideas as I tried to glean some insights from it.

I decided it is a hard passage to read in isolation so I’ll set the context. The chapter starts with Jesus’ time in the desert (which I have blogged about in the past). Then it moves to Jesus beginning a ministry of teaching and healing throughout Galilee. This ministry trip eventually brings Jesus back to his home town of Nazareth. The text gives no indication of time. Readers have no way of knowing if Jesus had been away for weeks, months or even years. All that is revealed is that “a report about him spread through all the surrounding country” (14) and he “was praised by everyone” (15).

Finally, Jesus arrives in Nazareth, entered the synagogue and read a passage from the book of Isaiah. 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (18-19)

The Gospel of Luke even comments that every eye was on him. I can imagine the scene, all waiting with bated breath to hear what Jesus said about those verses.

So that is the context. The reading for today continues the story. Jesus told them that. “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (21).

If I am honest with myself, I suspect if someone had said that about themselves today I would have thought how arrogant they were. Why would they be promoting themselves in that way? The arrogance of youth! 

However, the congregation didn’t act that way. The sense is almost one of pride at a local boy done well. The ensuing comments talked about amazement at the gracious words. 

After which the passage becomes a little strange. It reads as if Jesus is trying to pick an argument with them. He has this dialogue with himself where he predicts questions and answers that will cause them to reject him. It is almost as if he rejects their adoration so they will reject him. This small section ends with the comment, “no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown” (24).

I want to pause there and think about that phrase. I have heard it quoted often although rarely about prophets! The sense is always that someone has done something that gets recognition from the wider community but not by their immediate family, friends and neighbours. Although, I’m not going to discuss it today, it is something worthy of pondering. From the amount of times I have heard it said, I can assume it clearly reflects the feelings of lots of people. So, what is the root, is it jealousy or familiarity? 

Anyway, back to the text. After, Jesus’ short dialogue with himself he proceeded to cite two examples from their scriptures. The first was from the prophet Elijah, that he was sent to save one widow from famine. The second was about the prophet Elisha that he was sent to heal one person with leprosy. In each case, the emphasis was on the one.  The text noted there were many widows and many lepers but the stories only talk about miraculous intervention in the case of the one person.

The interesting thing is the reaction of the congregation. The text says, 

When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff” (28-29).

What an impact! What a change! What a violent reaction! 

How (or why) did the crowd go from amazement to rage? What was it about these words that caused such fury. These words obviously touched a raw nerve in the listeners. I’m not sure, that reading it in 2019, I can even begin to understand the depths of emotion these few verses invoked. The text does not give a straight answer as to why the crowd were so incensed.  

Maybe, it was a reaction to perceived rejection as in the examples only one was chosen. Yet, they could just as easily perceive themselves as the chosen ones, after all Jesus had returned to his home town to make this analogy.

As I ponder I like to think that something in Jesus words exposed their hearts. They had heard the words about bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, recovering sight to the blind and freeing the oppressed. These are good, abstract ideas which all could agree with. Yet, were the examples given a bit too specific?  Helping starving widows and lepers!

As I read it, I couldn’t help thinking that maybe things haven’t changed too much. The same great ideas remain and possibly the same reactions.

Great idea to free the oppressed, until they are coming over a border. 

Great idea to help the poor until they are seen dirty and smelly on the streets. 

Great idea to give sight to the blind so long as they have enough money to pay the bill. 

Great idea to set captives free unless they want to set up house next to me!

Just some ideas to ponder about this strange little text. Be blessed.