Epiphany IV
The Reverend Martha Frances
Year B, Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
1 February 2009
Text: Mark 1: 21-28
Other: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20; Psalm 111; I Corinthians 8: 1-13
Immediately after Jesus calls the disciples, they arrive in Capernaum, Jesus walks into the synagogue, & he teaches. Now that sounds pretty nervy, doesn't it? Who is this young rabbi? And where's his teaching certificate from? He just gathers a group of rag-tag followers around him & begins teaching in the synagogue. Bet he hasn't even had Safeguarding God's Children training! Everything happens so fast in Mark's gospel that we can hardly catch our breaths.
We aren't told the content of Jesus' teaching. What we're told is that Jesus teaches and the crowd is astounded. Now I'm a former teacher, & I can assure you that seldom have my students been astounded at my lessons. Further, Capernaum is apparently where Jesus now lives as an adult, so he goes to his own home synagogue, & whatever he has to say to them, they're astounded. And this is before the exorcism!
This story is often named "The Exorcism in the Synagogue at Capernaum," but the people respond with amazement even before Jesus tangles with the demons. Why? Because, Mark tells us, Jesus teaches with authority, not as the scribes.
The scribes weren't just copyists or secretaries but were like graduate students teaching the freshmen courses. They used the time-honored method of explaining the Torah, the scripture like the passage we read from Deuteronomy this morning. They dissected them word-for-word & then applied the research of the scholars through the ages to the passage. I go through a similar process when preparing a sermon, but I try to spare you the tedious background details which help me determine a passage's meaning. Jesus cuts through all that. He doesn't have to quote his sources. He is his own authority. The crowd is flabbergasted. He's so young, but his wisdom is ancient.
So what's with the exorcism? And what does this strange miracle story have to do with modern Texans? Well, as Mark does other places, he tucks the action story into a larger account of Jesus' teaching. We've all heard that actions speak louder than words. It appears that Jesus' actions are, to a large extent, acted-out teaching, at least as Mark tells the tale. Although we would seldom refer to a person as possessed by demons today, we certainly have the uncomfortable opportunity to observe people who are obviously mentally unstable from time to time. In fact, who among us hasn't felt so agitated by something disturbing in her/his life that we didn't wish for—perhaps pray for—relief from the disturbance? While we don't often have an immediate clear quieting of the demon of anxiety or fear or resentment that this person enjoyed, we often look back months later & realize we've left such discomfort behind. Sometimes we even call the release from fear, frustration, or impending doom a miracle. I've heard it said that miracles are times when God chooses to remain anonymous.
The content of Jesus' teaching includes this man's healing. The unclean spirit possessing the man calls out, naming Jesus "the Holy One of God." Jesus is never too busy to stop to minister to a person who is obviously disturbed. This man is important to Jesus & becomes part of Jesus' lesson this day in the synagogue.
Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit who recognizes him, & the man is set free. The unclean spirit calls Jesus the Holy One of God, & it's unclear to us why Jesus attempts to silence him & downplay his identity. It may be that Jesus is concerned about having all the Jewish expectations of Messiah placed upon him at this early stage in his public ministry since he isn't the kind of messiah they all expect.
It's ironic, of course, that it's the demon who recognizes Jesus' true identity & authority while those around, even the disciples, are unsure just who this young rabbi is. It's easy for us to hear this story from across the centuries & say, "Well, of course, Jesus is the Holy One of God." But at the time even of Mark's writing, who Jesus was & Jesus' relationship to God was much debated, still being worked out in the minds of the new Christian community.
Once again, the crowd is amazed. They respond, What is this? A new teaching---with authority!" Jesus' lesson, his healing action, his very person all become one. And the people at least recognize Jesus as a new teacher. A new approach to God. It's little wonder, is it not, that Jesus' fame spreads throughout Galilee? This crowd can't keep the Good News quiet. They are compelled to go & tell all they have seen & heard. "Listen up!" they say. "Pay attention! Something new is happening. SomeONE new is amongst us."
Mark's Gospel comes to us with a sense of urgency too. We don't know exactly when it was written. We don't even know for sure who this "Mark" is who has a story of Good News so great to tell that he invents a whole new literary form: a gospel. Remember: Mark's gospel is the first gospel. There's never been one written before. Mark tells us the Glad Tidings of the new life which this Jesus brings, divine victory over the constricting forces of evil like the unclean spirit which Jesus releases from the man in the synagogue. The old creation has indeed passed away, & the believer can now experience the freedom & deliverance of the Kingdom of God which has come to be. All this, & we're still in Chapter One of Mark's Gospel!
So I ask today, what new thing is Jesus accomplishing in you? In each of us? What new things are possible when we allow ourselves to be astonished at the Good News which Jesus brings, the Glad Tidings which IS Jesus? We celebrate today one who moves among us as a person who is open to what new things can happen when God is in charge of one's life. He's been around this parish since its beginning. He's fulfilled the responsibilities of senior warden several times, & probably also junior warden. He's made sure the huge trash bins get out to the street every week for I-don't-know-how-long. He represents Hope Church on the MANNA board & volunteers there each week. When I came to Hope, a friend told me that he is the kindest man around here. And there's always a new thing happening. Last year, when Susan Gavin needed doorpersons to help in the Godly Play lessons for the Day School, he took Safeguarding God's Children training so he could serve our community in a new way. Now the Day School children clamor to get to see our 90-year-young Mr. Harold on Thursdays. Today we all get to celebrate the birthday of this man who allows God to do new things through him. Happy Birthday, Harold Fiedler!
What Good News is it your turn to declare in your life today? You might likely say, "How should I know?" Perhaps that's the prayer you hold up to God during our upcoming Lenten season. How does God want to do a new thing in your present life? C. S. Lewis reminds us that "the soul is but a hollow which God fills," so I invite you in the next liturgical season of Lent to expand your daily time of stillness (or start one) so that you may listen for how God can use you to grow God's reign on this earth. Becoming part of one of our Lenten groups studying the novel The Shack is also how you might explore how God is calling you to grow deeper in your spiritual life.
Nearly 4 years ago, we at Hope began a journey together to become an intentionally multi-cultural community in this part of Houston. We had wonderful progress for a couple of years & for the last year or so have hit upon some snags which, truth be told, we probably should have expected. We face the challenge in 2009 of our needing a building year as they say in sports teams, & we all know this year will be challenging financially for everyone. This next weekend our vestry will be on retreat to develop our vestry community & to set forth a vision for this next year. We cherish your prayers as we move forward & your support as we return. All of us are needed to continue the Good News story of Hope Church.
Julian of Norwich, the medieval English mystic who lived through plagues & crusades, said of Jesus, "He said not, 'Thou shalt not be troubled, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be distressed,' but He said 'Thou shalt not be overcome.' It is God's will that we take heed to these words, that we may be ever mighty in faithful trust in weal & woe."
Now Hope's story is rather a more dramatic one of new life than is true in most churches, yet Jesus invites us ever to be open & eager to face life & ministry anew. As we journey with the Gospel of Mark as our guide in the Sunday lectionary this year, Mark urges us on with a sense of urgency. Jesus IS a new teaching—with authority. We, too, can respond with astonishment to Jesus' authoritative teaching, to Jesus' new activity in our lives & that of our community. Thanks be to God!
Year B, Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
1 February 2009
Text: Mark 1: 21-28
Other: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20; Psalm 111; I Corinthians 8: 1-13
Immediately after Jesus calls the disciples, they arrive in Capernaum, Jesus walks into the synagogue, & he teaches. Now that sounds pretty nervy, doesn't it? Who is this young rabbi? And where's his teaching certificate from? He just gathers a group of rag-tag followers around him & begins teaching in the synagogue. Bet he hasn't even had Safeguarding God's Children training! Everything happens so fast in Mark's gospel that we can hardly catch our breaths.
We aren't told the content of Jesus' teaching. What we're told is that Jesus teaches and the crowd is astounded. Now I'm a former teacher, & I can assure you that seldom have my students been astounded at my lessons. Further, Capernaum is apparently where Jesus now lives as an adult, so he goes to his own home synagogue, & whatever he has to say to them, they're astounded. And this is before the exorcism!
This story is often named "The Exorcism in the Synagogue at Capernaum," but the people respond with amazement even before Jesus tangles with the demons. Why? Because, Mark tells us, Jesus teaches with authority, not as the scribes.
The scribes weren't just copyists or secretaries but were like graduate students teaching the freshmen courses. They used the time-honored method of explaining the Torah, the scripture like the passage we read from Deuteronomy this morning. They dissected them word-for-word & then applied the research of the scholars through the ages to the passage. I go through a similar process when preparing a sermon, but I try to spare you the tedious background details which help me determine a passage's meaning. Jesus cuts through all that. He doesn't have to quote his sources. He is his own authority. The crowd is flabbergasted. He's so young, but his wisdom is ancient.
So what's with the exorcism? And what does this strange miracle story have to do with modern Texans? Well, as Mark does other places, he tucks the action story into a larger account of Jesus' teaching. We've all heard that actions speak louder than words. It appears that Jesus' actions are, to a large extent, acted-out teaching, at least as Mark tells the tale. Although we would seldom refer to a person as possessed by demons today, we certainly have the uncomfortable opportunity to observe people who are obviously mentally unstable from time to time. In fact, who among us hasn't felt so agitated by something disturbing in her/his life that we didn't wish for—perhaps pray for—relief from the disturbance? While we don't often have an immediate clear quieting of the demon of anxiety or fear or resentment that this person enjoyed, we often look back months later & realize we've left such discomfort behind. Sometimes we even call the release from fear, frustration, or impending doom a miracle. I've heard it said that miracles are times when God chooses to remain anonymous.
The content of Jesus' teaching includes this man's healing. The unclean spirit possessing the man calls out, naming Jesus "the Holy One of God." Jesus is never too busy to stop to minister to a person who is obviously disturbed. This man is important to Jesus & becomes part of Jesus' lesson this day in the synagogue.
Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit who recognizes him, & the man is set free. The unclean spirit calls Jesus the Holy One of God, & it's unclear to us why Jesus attempts to silence him & downplay his identity. It may be that Jesus is concerned about having all the Jewish expectations of Messiah placed upon him at this early stage in his public ministry since he isn't the kind of messiah they all expect.
It's ironic, of course, that it's the demon who recognizes Jesus' true identity & authority while those around, even the disciples, are unsure just who this young rabbi is. It's easy for us to hear this story from across the centuries & say, "Well, of course, Jesus is the Holy One of God." But at the time even of Mark's writing, who Jesus was & Jesus' relationship to God was much debated, still being worked out in the minds of the new Christian community.
Once again, the crowd is amazed. They respond, What is this? A new teaching---with authority!" Jesus' lesson, his healing action, his very person all become one. And the people at least recognize Jesus as a new teacher. A new approach to God. It's little wonder, is it not, that Jesus' fame spreads throughout Galilee? This crowd can't keep the Good News quiet. They are compelled to go & tell all they have seen & heard. "Listen up!" they say. "Pay attention! Something new is happening. SomeONE new is amongst us."
Mark's Gospel comes to us with a sense of urgency too. We don't know exactly when it was written. We don't even know for sure who this "Mark" is who has a story of Good News so great to tell that he invents a whole new literary form: a gospel. Remember: Mark's gospel is the first gospel. There's never been one written before. Mark tells us the Glad Tidings of the new life which this Jesus brings, divine victory over the constricting forces of evil like the unclean spirit which Jesus releases from the man in the synagogue. The old creation has indeed passed away, & the believer can now experience the freedom & deliverance of the Kingdom of God which has come to be. All this, & we're still in Chapter One of Mark's Gospel!
So I ask today, what new thing is Jesus accomplishing in you? In each of us? What new things are possible when we allow ourselves to be astonished at the Good News which Jesus brings, the Glad Tidings which IS Jesus? We celebrate today one who moves among us as a person who is open to what new things can happen when God is in charge of one's life. He's been around this parish since its beginning. He's fulfilled the responsibilities of senior warden several times, & probably also junior warden. He's made sure the huge trash bins get out to the street every week for I-don't-know-how-long. He represents Hope Church on the MANNA board & volunteers there each week. When I came to Hope, a friend told me that he is the kindest man around here. And there's always a new thing happening. Last year, when Susan Gavin needed doorpersons to help in the Godly Play lessons for the Day School, he took Safeguarding God's Children training so he could serve our community in a new way. Now the Day School children clamor to get to see our 90-year-young Mr. Harold on Thursdays. Today we all get to celebrate the birthday of this man who allows God to do new things through him. Happy Birthday, Harold Fiedler!
What Good News is it your turn to declare in your life today? You might likely say, "How should I know?" Perhaps that's the prayer you hold up to God during our upcoming Lenten season. How does God want to do a new thing in your present life? C. S. Lewis reminds us that "the soul is but a hollow which God fills," so I invite you in the next liturgical season of Lent to expand your daily time of stillness (or start one) so that you may listen for how God can use you to grow God's reign on this earth. Becoming part of one of our Lenten groups studying the novel The Shack is also how you might explore how God is calling you to grow deeper in your spiritual life.
Nearly 4 years ago, we at Hope began a journey together to become an intentionally multi-cultural community in this part of Houston. We had wonderful progress for a couple of years & for the last year or so have hit upon some snags which, truth be told, we probably should have expected. We face the challenge in 2009 of our needing a building year as they say in sports teams, & we all know this year will be challenging financially for everyone. This next weekend our vestry will be on retreat to develop our vestry community & to set forth a vision for this next year. We cherish your prayers as we move forward & your support as we return. All of us are needed to continue the Good News story of Hope Church.
Julian of Norwich, the medieval English mystic who lived through plagues & crusades, said of Jesus, "He said not, 'Thou shalt not be troubled, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be distressed,' but He said 'Thou shalt not be overcome.' It is God's will that we take heed to these words, that we may be ever mighty in faithful trust in weal & woe."
Now Hope's story is rather a more dramatic one of new life than is true in most churches, yet Jesus invites us ever to be open & eager to face life & ministry anew. As we journey with the Gospel of Mark as our guide in the Sunday lectionary this year, Mark urges us on with a sense of urgency. Jesus IS a new teaching—with authority. We, too, can respond with astonishment to Jesus' authoritative teaching, to Jesus' new activity in our lives & that of our community. Thanks be to God!
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