Lent 2012

I am excited that we - Pastor Bob and I - are trying something a little different on Sunday mornings. Rather than using the four reading prescribed by the Revised Common Lectionary we will be reading and preaching on the Pasion Narrative from Mark's Gospel. It divides nicely into four parts so after an introductory piece tomorrow, the First Sunday of Lent, we will read the arrest in Gethsemane on March 4, the trial before Jewish authorities on March 18, the trial before Pontius Pilate on March 25, ending with the death and burial scence on Passion/Palm Sunday, which is ironically on April 1 this year.

On March 11 the whole parish will gather in Wyndmere for my service of installation with Bishop Rindy presiding and Pastor Bob preaching. I am excited that, weather permitting, my kids and grandkids will be in Wyndmere for the occasion. I miss my visits to Grand Forks, and going to Church with my little buddies.

If you are following the Read the Bible in a Year schedule, we are finishing up the Gospel of John during the week of February 26, and then starting with some Old Testament history the week of March 4. The books of Joshua and Judges tell of the time in the history of the Israelites between the Exodus from Egypt under Moses and the beginning of the settement in the Promised Land. First and Second Samuel are focused on King David and the final conquest of the land centered in Jerusalem. First and Second Kings form a long narrative which details the decline of the Monarchy in the northern and southern kingdoms, and the destruction of the Temple and the Exile of the people during the time of King Nebuchadnezzar in the early 6th century BCE. God's providence is an overarching them throughout these history books.

February 8, 2012

The gospel reading, Mark 1.40-45, tells of Jesus touching and healing a man with leprosy. It is important that the social stigma of the leprosy was a great burden to thsoe infected with the disease. In the Book of Leviticus, chapters 13-15, we read that those infected were banished from the community. They were not able to earn a living and condemned to a hard life. They were seen to be ritually impure as well as physically diseased. Hence they were cut off from the community and from the religious life of the people. Those infected often wore a bell around the neck as a warning sign.

The disease is contagious, and the isolation of those affected was practical. As with many diseases, however, the myths surrounding it were often exaggerated. In the modern world, leprosy still exists, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. It is spread by repeated close contact with those infected. Leprosy is on the decline worldwide.

In reaching out and touching the leprous man Jesus is breaking the religious law of his time. He is making himself "religiously impure." This would be very offensive to many, especially to the religious leaders. He will break many of the religious laws of his day, especially in his association with those who were outcasts - tax collectors, prostitutes, women, Samaritans, and the poor.

It is interesting that the man with leprosy says to Jesus, "If you want to, you can heal me." I think the gospel writer wants to emphasize the intentional nature of Jesus' ministry. He replies, "I do want to." The healing of the leper, like the casting out of the demon from the man in the synagosue earlier in the chapter, are signs of the nearness of the kingdom of God. The barriers to God's love and forgiveness will be torn down. Jesus will offer a correction to the attitude of many of the religious leaders of his time. Jewish society in his time had become a closed society with strict rules about who might associate with whom. This way of thinking - a fear of the "other" - began after the Jews returned from their Babylonian exile in the mid 6th century BCE. The covenant made at the time of Abraham included a provision that the people of God were to be a blessing to others, especially those who are in need.

Monday February 6

The readings for Sunday February 12 are 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and Mark 1:40-45. The gospel reading is from the end of chapter 1, what we have been reading for the past several weeks. Once again the emphasis is upon what Jesus does and not the specific content of his teaching. The gospel writer's concern is to show Jesus in action. The opening line of Mark reads something like, 'The beginning of the good news (gospel, "euangellion") of Jesus Christ, Son of God. The reader, or hearer, knows from the beginning who Jesus is. The title Son of God likely has to do with his relationship with God the Father, a relationship of obedience. Likewise in the baptism, we read/hear of his relationship again when God the Father/Creator declares Jesus to be his Son.

The first ministry story is that of the casting out of the demons from the man in the synagogue. Mark makes a point of telling us that the demons know who Jesus is - the Holy One of God. This theme of the disciples and others not knowing the true identity of Jesus is common in Mark's gospel.

Then there is the healing of Peter's mother in law, and healings and exorcisms of many in the town, and finally in this week's reading, the healing of the man with leprosy. This time the healing is hands on. Jesus touches the man and he is healed. The intro to the account is interesting. The man says to Jesus, 'If you want to you can heal me.' This is perhaps an indication of the connection between faith and healing in the gospel.

The teaching in chapter 1 is this; "The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news (gospel).' And then the acts of healing and exorcism which follow are signs of the kingdom. The kingdom of God in the gospels is not a place, but a way of life. You will notice that the parables of the kingdom are action oriented.

I am not sure where the preaching will lead me this week. The theme of healing ministry seems over worked in the past few weeks. And the Old Testament story is the healing of Naaman, which provides no change of theme. Tiem to read and ruminate!