Sex Talk

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 -- Week of Proper 20, Year One
Philander Chase, Bishop of Ohio, and of Illinois, 1852

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 984)
Psalms 78:1-39 (morning) 78:40-72 (evening)
2 Kings 5:19-27
1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Matthew 5:27-37

Although the essence of Paul's theology is that in Christ we are freed from the anxiety of trying to live up to the commandments of the law, he consistently demands faithfulness in sexual relationships. There is something profound and vulnerable about the particular love that is expressed through physical intimacy. Paul expects those who live in Christ to protect such intimacy within the bonds of exclusive faithfulness. In today's reading he scolds the congregation in Corinth because they have tolerated a sexual scandal. He expects them to act to correct an incestuous relationship. The health of the congregation and the wholeness of the offender are both at stake, he says.

We hear Jesus address a similar issue in Matthew's account today. Part of Jesus' expectation is the guarding of the mind and the imagination. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." That has been a disheartening verse since adolescence for me.

In my sermon Sunday, I talked about how we distort and exaggerate simple emotions by adding our commentary and tapes to create inflated and sometimes overwhelming emotional states. Feelings just are. Emotions happen. Deep in our DNA is an appreciation for beauty and the corresponding energy of sexual attraction. We can simply observe the emotion of sexual energy that arises from deep within, below our consciousness of choice.

But we don't have to act on any of our emotions. We can simply observe them. In Jesus' language, we may look at a woman and be moved. If we simply observe that, with a bit of appreciation for the wonder of beauty, all is well. But if we add to that simple emotion the extra energy of lustful imagination, and if we begin to "commit adultery with her in our heart," we have violated that person's dignity and created a potentially dangerous temptation in our soul.

Jesus uses exaggerated language to urge us to guard our thoughts and actions. Do not let the imagination of even one eye or the sideways act of one hand lead you into danger. Or as my roommate Bubba used to say when he saw me beginning to launch into an opinionated tirade, "Nip it! Nip it in the bud."

Paul uses the metaphor of leaven. Traditionally yeast is an image of corruption. "A little yeast leavens the whole batch." It doesn't take much contamination to defile or dishonor something good and pure. Paul uses the imagery of Passover. "Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened."

The thought of Passover, and the Passover duty of removing all leaven from the household, moves Paul to a memorable phrase that has found its way into centuries of liturgy. "For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Sincerity and truth. That is an antidote to our afflictive emotional temptations. If we are sincere and singularly dedicated to the truth, we will guard our eyes and thoughts and hands.

Matthew ends with a similar sentiment. Jesus tells his disciples, "Let your word be, 'Yes, Yes,' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one." Sounds simple. Sincerity and truth. A simple "Yes" or "No." When we get much more complicated, we usually start rationalizing. That's often the path to catastrophe.

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