Lectionary Thoughts
This past Sunday, churches using the Revised Common Lectionary had two choices for planning worship. The texts for Sunday 24 continued the journey through the book of Romans and the Gospel of Matthew. However, September 14th is also Holy Cross Day, a day to venerate and contemplate this complex symbol. Western Tradition has been to celebrate Holy Cross whenever it falls on a Sunday. The day calls us to reflect on the central paradox of Christian faith. When treated honestly, we acknowledge the cross to be brutal, awful, and horrific. We open ourselves to the mystery that something that looks evil can be good. We open ourselves to the awesome compassion of a God who drives straight into the worst of places precisely to bring what is missing: comfort in the face of pain, solace in the face of heartache, forgiveness in the face of rebellion and life in the face of death.
Hopefully, we come to recognize that while the crucifixion was a moment in history, that the consequences of God's total emptying of self now cast a new light on a whole host of circumstances. Whenever we stand face to face with the compelling arguments that the world is lost and that suffering will overtake us, we can see the Cross in that moment, and know the foolish wisdom of God, creating life where there should be none.
Commemorations this week
9/16/2008- Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage and Martyr d. 258
9/17/3008- Hildegard of Bingen, Abbess & Mystic d. 1179
9/18/2008- Dag Hammarskjold, Diplomat & Mystic d. 1961
9/20/2008- Nelson Wesley Trout, Bishop d. 1996
What did that Christian just say?
This week's term is martyr in honor of Bishop Cyprian. The term martyr comes from the Greek marturion, which means "witness". This could be a witness in a court case, or a witness who provided a letter of reference for a person. The marturion, could vouch for the character of the person whom they were attesting to. In some sense, all Christians are witnesses (or at least we're called to be), attesting to the character of Christ. In the early church, during times of intense persecution, martyrdom, i.e. "witnessing" took on a special meaning as some believers chose to face punishment, torture and even death rather than to renounce Christ. While this act was not essential to remain a believer (after all a religion of 100% persecution martyrs doesn't last long), it was held up as an example because of the powerful testimony it gave to those who observed their stand. More recent thinking has moved beyond understanding the witness of martyrs under persecution to consider how every Christian can witness to their faith, especially in the way they face death, even if that death is from natural causes.
