Hypocrisy

Monday, February 5, 2007 -- Week of 5 Epiphany; Year One -- (The Martyrs of Japan)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 946)
Psalms 80 (morning) // 77, [79] (evening)
Isaiah 58:1-12
Galatians 6:11-18
Mark 9:30-41

One of the familiar indictments of Christianity and other religions is the charge of hypocrisy. Religious people will sometimes make a show of their faith yet fail to connect their faith to their actions.

Isaiah 58 is a clarion cry of challenge to the religious. Isaiah tells his contemporaries that their religious observance is meaningless if their lives fail to produce justice and goodness. Isaiah sees a direct cause-and-effect between the establishment of justice and God's blessing upon their society.

Here are the justice issues that Isaiah demands in the name of the Lord:
just pay and working conditions for laborers; no more oppression of the weak, especially foreigners and eunuchs; food for the hungry; shelter for the homeless; clothes for the needy; the end of quarreling; replacing greed with generosity. Isaiah says that if God's people will practice these right behaviors, their society will prosper. He tells them that their self-centered plans for economic and agricultural success will falter unless they first reclaim their inner direction.

Jesus addresses some of the same issues in today's reading from Mark. Jesus lives the servant-life example. But the disciples are arguing over status and power. Jesus reminds them that when they offer hospitality and respect to the least of their neighbors, they honor Christ himself. He cautions his followers not to be sectarian and jealous. They are not to feel threatened by a rival religious practice. "Who ever is not against us is for us."

It makes sense intuitively that these Biblical admonitions of generosity and service would create a more just and energetic society than a society motivated by greed and lust for power. The sharpest rebuke is saved for those who cover their greed and lust for power with a religious veneer.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life: We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.