Evil and Love

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 -- Week of Proper 12
Mary and Martha of Bethany

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 977)
Psalms 61, 62 (morning) 68:1-20(21-23)24-36 (evening)
Judges 1:1-5, 11-23
Romans 16:17-27
Matthew 27:32-44

Our gospel today is a picture of corporate violence and evil. The authorities of religion and state have combined to condemn Jesus to be executed as a blasphemer and criminal. But since the religious authorities no longer have the power to carry out their death sentence, Jesus is killed as an enemy of the state. Jesus has been accused of political sedition, he has been tried and judged guilty.

All of this happens under the jurisdiction of the two societies who are regarded by history as exemplary in their particular character. Israel is the mother of monotheism and the font of Western religion. Israel is a prototype of religious community. Rome is an empire identified with the rule of law. Rome brought the rule of law to most of the Western world and established enduring legal institutions which brought order and justice across a wide expanse of civilization. Israel became a metaphor for religion; Rome became a metaphor for law.

The two most exemplary human traditions of religion and law fail utterly toward Jesus. The best systems that humans could create produce injustice and violence. In his person, Jesus absorbs the corporate evil of religion and state. He stands in solidarity with every person who has ever been the victim of religious purging or political malevolence. In Jesus, the systems are exposed as broken and evil.

Simon of Cyrene is a stranger from Libya. He is conscripted to participate in this execution. His willingness or unwillingness is immaterial. He is a little piece of collateral damage in a bigger scene of violence. He stands for all of those who have been caught in the teeth of events that are bigger than we can escape. He is the innocent bystander who becomes the victim.

The violence is cruel and methodical. There is sport involved in this killing. They watch the suffering bemused. Such pitiless scenes have been part of the human experience throughout our history. We turn these exercises into entertainment in movies and video games. In dark places around the globe, our brothers and sisters participate in these cruelties. In Guantanamo and how many other locations do they perform these acts in our name.

Jesus is the object of scorn and derision of all. Those of high and low estate condemn and taunt him. The powerful and the authorities mock him. The criminals who share his fate join in the scoffing. There are no friends or supporters here. He is isolated, alone, helpless. He is everyone who has ever been the outcast or object.

He is the ultimate failure. "If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." He stays, painfully pinned to the instrument of his slow death. "He saved others; he cannot save himself." Nothing good from his past is effective here. "He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now." Whatever has been hopeful or exhilarating is dashed. "He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to." God does nothing.

The picture is one of complete horror. Whatever evils humans can create, they are heaped upon Jesus.

He takes it all. He does not turn away. He does not strike back in anger or violence. He does not condemn, but forgives. He does nothing. Except love. He abandons himself to God, and returns only love toward the evils that assault him.

We say there is no more exquisite picture of God than this. This is who God is; this is what God does.

In the face of such love, how shall we be?

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
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


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

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas