The 14th Sunday After Pentecost, Sept. 14, 2003 (Proper 19B)
Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 116 or 116:1-8; James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18; Mark 8:27-38 or Mark 9:14-29
One of the characteristics of Western civilization is a spirit of independence. We look upon independence as one of the highest of virtues. In its worst expression this takes the form of the cult of the self, typified by self-help books and looking out for me and mine. The Bible has a different take on things as shown in this Sunday’s readings. The Bible teaches dependence on God and interdependence on each other.
No wonder there is a tendency in our culture to domesticate Jesus and the Bible so that the message comes across more like a mirror image of ourselves rather than a challenge that transforms us and our culture. But Jesus can never really be domesticated. In spite of our efforts to do so, he still speaks loudly and clearly: “Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it” (Mark 8:35).
Throughout the Bible we find variations of this theme of losing self. Isaiah writes about God giving us a tongue not exclusively for our independent benefit but for others. Our tongue is to be used for sustaining the weary with a word (Isaiah 50:4). Isaiah goes on to say that God awakens our ear so that we may listen. Listen to what? Maybe we are to listen as God listens. In Psalm 116, God inclines his ear to us when we are needy. There is the prototype for listening. God awakens our ear so that we may listen beyond our self-interest.
This same theme comes up again in a different way in the Letter of James. James argues against favoritism for the rich. We may say that we are not doing that. After all, we are egalitarians. However, we need to ask ourselves a question. Are we quick to respond to the needs of family and friends but slow to hear, see or touch the needs of the poor who are strangers to us?
In the gospel, Jesus asks who people say he is. After playing around with some answers he goes on to speak of suffering, carrying a cross and losing life, all a paradox for saving life. In other words, he is saying that this paradoxical person is who he is. If we want to be his followers, this is who we will be following.
Look It Up
We do not have to go far to do this research. Do research on ourselves. How much in a given day do we act selflessly for others rather than exclusively for ourselves? Do we find a balance?
Think About It
There is no easy way to balance the obligation we have concerning the needs of family and other loved ones with the needs of strangers. But are we blind to either?
Next Sunday
The 15th Sunday After Pentecost, Sept. 21, 2003 (Proper 20B)
Wisdom 1:16-2:1(6-11)12-22; Psalm 54; James 3:16-4:6; Mark 9:30-37
