Celebrated on February 2nd and known originally as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is a relatively ancient celebration. We know that the Church at Jerusalem was observing the feast as early as the first half of the fourth century, and likely earlier.
According to Jewish law, the firstborn male child belonged to God, and the parents had to "buy him back" on the 40th day after his birth, by offering a sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:24) in the temple (thus the "presentation" of the child). On that same day, the mother would be ritually purified (thus the "purification").
Why do we do anything?
It is a question that we rarely consider.
Our body is an interconnected mass of bone, tissue, nerves, vessels and organs. What gives it life?
What makes a new born baby gasp for it’s first breath?
What is lost when a dying man breathes his last?
The ancients used the word “spirit” to describe the animating force present in all living things – an invisible, elusive power, portrayed as a breath or wind. However, the word refers to that which does not just give life, but also that which shapes it.
In their energy, enthusiasm and readiness to explore new possibilities, spirited children shape their life but, as parents know, they can make themselves vulnerable, they can be frustratingly unreliable and they can push boundaries too far.
As we get older, experience blunts our sense of invulnerability and sharpens our sense of what is important and new possibilities become fewer as the choices we make limit the opportunities available.
And Spirit is gradually, though not completely, superseded by Faith – not necessarily religious or spiritual Faith but the everyday common or garden Faith – the Faith that, among a myriad of other chores, gets clothes washed, rooms tidied and dinners cooked.
The Faith that gets things done because they have to be done. That Faith as Commitment – to Work , Family and Community.
Unlike Spirit, Faith is reliable. It does not push boundaries but informs and guides our relationships with others.
Spirit and Faith are, of course, antagonistic. While Spirit is radical, Faith is conservative. While Spirit is the engine of Change, Faith is the Force of Continuity.
Both Faith and Spirit find expression. It is Reason that predominantly interprets and justifies Faith while it is Behaviour that predominantly gives physical expression to Spirit.
Faith, Spirit, Reason and Behaviour can be considered as “aspects of being”, and while Faith, Spirit and Reason are “aspects of being” of the psyche, or mind, Behaviour is an “aspect of being of the body”.
This is what we all share in common. This is what it is to be human.
In the Gospel of Mark, during the passage on the Transfiguration (chapter 9, verse 5), Peter is portrayed as energetic:
“Rabbi”, he said, “it is wonderful to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah”.
He is portrayed as enthusiastic (chapter 11, verse 21):
“Look Rabbi, the fig tree you cursed has withered away”.
He is portrayed as ready to explore new possibilities (chapter 8, verse 29):
Peter spoke up and said to him: “You are the Christ”.
He is portrayed as vulnerable (chapter 10, verse 28):
“What about us”, he asked him, “we have left everything and followed you”.
He is also portrayed as unreliable when following his declaration: “Even if all lose faith, I will not” (chapter 14, verse 29), he denies Jesus three times (chapter 14, verses 66 – 72).
Finally, he is portrayed as pushing boundaries too far when he remonstrates with Jesus (chapter 8, verses 32 – 33), leading to Jesus’ declaration:
“Get behind me Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men.”
The name Peter means “Rock” but this portrayal is anything but “rock-like”. Indeed, it is tempting to see Peter, in Mark’s Gospel, as representing the personification of Spirit.
Could there be an underlying meaning in the Gospel?
In Chapter 4, verse 11, the author seems to invite us to seek one when Jesus says to his disciples:
“The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables”.
Is the Gospel itself not one big parable (or allegory), designed for interpretation?
This is not such a radical suggestion. The interpretation of scripture has a long history.
In the early 1st Century, Philo of Alexandria produced interpretations of Old Testament scriptures, which, he claimed, had much in common with Greek philosophy, and had even influenced Plato.
These days, interpretation of scripture is known as “exegesis” from the Greek meaning “to lead out”.
The danger is, of course, that we read into a passage something that is not there. This is known as “eisegesis”, from the Greek meaning “to lead into”, and is the reading of one’s own ideas into the text.
If Peter represents the personification of Spirit, what of the other disciples?
Throughout, the entire Gospel, the disciple John makes just one remark by himself (chapter 9, verse 38):
“Master, we saw a man who is not one of us, casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him”.
John provides a description of the disciples’ actions and a justification for them.
Following the previous metaphorical interpretation of Peter, it is tempting to see John, in Mark’s Gospel, as representing the personification of Reason.
John and Simon Peter are two of the four disciples called at the beginning of the Gospel (chapter 1, verses 16-20).
If Peter represents the personification of Spirit, then surely his “brother” Andrew represents the personification of Behaviour. If John represents the personification of Reason, then surely his “brother” James represents the personification of “Faith”.
After being called by Jesus, James and John left their “father”, Zebedee in their boat with the men he employed.
The Gospel was written in Greek but many scholars believe it was targeted at a Roman audience. The name Zebedee means “Gift from God” and those who were familiar with the Latin alphabet may have seen the significance of a Faith founded by Abraham coming to a natural conclusion with Zebedee.
Jesus gave James and John the name “Boanerges” or “Sons of Thunder” (chapter 3, verse 17). Could this be because Faith and Reason without Spirit is the Voice of Conviction and it is the Voice of Conviction that speaks loudest?
In the Gospel, Jesus is alone with the first four disciples on just one occasion. During the eschatological discourse that comprises chapter 13, in a discussion about the temple (verse 2), Jesus states:
“You see these great buildings? Not a single stone will be left on another. Everything will be destroyed.”
The four disciples question him privately (verse 3-4):
“Tell us, when is this going to happen and what sign will there be that all this is to be fulfilled?”
What follows is a discourse from Jesus incorporating a number of instructions aimed at Faith ( “Take care that no one deceives you?” - verse 5), Reason ( “And when they lead you away to hand you over do not worry beforehand about what to say” - verse 11), Spirit ( “Be on your guard, stay awake” - verse 33) and Behaviour (“When you see the disastrous abomination set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains” - verse 14).
More significantly, Jesus is alone with James, Peter and John on three occasions.
Jesus takes these disciples to the house of Jairus and there he brings Jairus’ daughter back to life.
In the living death that is depression, Christ speaks to Faith, Spirit and Reason to give purpose to life.
During the transfiguration, Jesus takes these disciples to the top of a high mountain where Jesus’ clothes become dazzlingly white and Moses and Elijah appear.
After an intense spiritual experience, Christ speaks to Faith, Spirit and Reason to give meaning to that experience.
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus takes these three disciples so far and instructs them to keep awake while he walks on further; when he returns he finds them sleeping.
In times of distress, Christ may seem far away and nothing prepares us for grief.
Is this exegesis or eisegesis? It is for the reader to decide but it is worth contemplating and interesting to reflect.
The metaphors work only if the respective aspects of being were apparent in the disciples’ actual life or teachings.
So, read the 1st Letter of Peter and see how soon you come to the word “Spirit”.
Read the 1st Letter of James and see how soon you come to the word “Faith”.
Read the 1st Letter of John and see how soon you come to the word “Logos” or “Reason”.
With this idea established in the mind, the Gospel of Mark gains a fresh and very human perspective.
Dominick
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Sunday 10 January 2010
The Baptism of the Lord
John the Baptist is regarded as the last and greatest of the prophets in the Mandean Faith and they view him as the only true Messiah. John is also regarded as a prophet in Christianity, the Bahai faith and Islam. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptism of the Lord by John is celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany Sunday.
In any list of the most inspirational figures of the 20th Century, the names of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela would have great prominence. These were figures who were widely held in high regard and commanded great loyalty from their followers.
However, despite their admirable personal qualities, if they had lived at a different time or in a different place, they would be unknown.
What made them inspirational was their courage in speaking out and ability to articulate that which people knew, in their heart of hearts, was right.
And that message inspired revolutionary movements that threatened the status quo and directly challenged authority.
Each of these individuals paid the price for speaking out. While Gandhi and King were assassinated, Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
However, despite the assassinations and imprisonment, the challenge to authority persisted as the strength of feeling of the people was fuelled by a deep sense of injustice.
And eventually, the states of the Indian sub continent gained independence from British rule, racial discrimination was made illegal in the United States and apartheid was abolished in South Africa.
Similarly, if there was any list of the most inspirational figures of the 1st Century, the name of John the Baptist would loom large.
This was a figure who was widely held in high regard and commanded great loyalty, even devotion, from his followers.
“... for everyone held that John was a real prophet” (Mk. ch. 11 vs. 33).
However, despite his undoubtedly admirable personal qualities, if he had lived at a different time or in a different place he would be unknown.
What made him inspirational was his courage in speaking out when no-one else would.
“It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you:
he will prepare your way.
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ” (Mk. ch. 1 vs. 2-4)
The message from John was an inspiration to others.....
“All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.” (Mk. ch. 1 vs. 5)
.. because it articulated that which people knew, in their heart of hearts, was right.
“It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him.
And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on you”.
(Mk. ch. 1 vs. 9-11).
But the message was a challenge to the authority of the time.
“Now it was …. Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your brother's wife'.” (Mk. Ch 6 vs. 17-18).
And John paid the price for speaking out.
“So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John's head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison” (Mk. ch. 6 vs. 27-28).
However, despite the arrest and execution, a movement was born as the strength of feeling of the people was fuelled by a deep sense of injustice.
“After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. 'The time has come' he said 'and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News'.” (Mk. ch. 1 vs.14-15).
And the challenge to authority persisted.
“...... King Herod had heard about him, since by now his name was well known.
Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him'. Others said, 'He is Elijah'; others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have'. But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I have cut off; he has risen from the dead'.” (Mk. ch. 6 vs 14-16).
Throughout human history, there has been conflict. Black against white. Nation against nation. Religion against religion. Jew against gentile; conflict that is fuelled by a deep sense of injustice. Whenever, we see injustice, we shouldn't wait for the inspirational figure but we should speak out and act according to that which we know, in our heart of hearts, is right. For that is the voice of Divine Reason. That is the voice of Christ.
“Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say I am?” And they told him. 'John the Baptist,' they said 'others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets. ' But you,' he asked 'who do you say I am?' Peter spoke up and said to him, 'You are the Christ'. And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.” (Mk. ch. 8 vs. 27-30).
Dominick
In any list of the most inspirational figures of the 20th Century, the names of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela would have great prominence. These were figures who were widely held in high regard and commanded great loyalty from their followers.
However, despite their admirable personal qualities, if they had lived at a different time or in a different place, they would be unknown.
What made them inspirational was their courage in speaking out and ability to articulate that which people knew, in their heart of hearts, was right.
And that message inspired revolutionary movements that threatened the status quo and directly challenged authority.
Each of these individuals paid the price for speaking out. While Gandhi and King were assassinated, Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
However, despite the assassinations and imprisonment, the challenge to authority persisted as the strength of feeling of the people was fuelled by a deep sense of injustice.
And eventually, the states of the Indian sub continent gained independence from British rule, racial discrimination was made illegal in the United States and apartheid was abolished in South Africa.
Similarly, if there was any list of the most inspirational figures of the 1st Century, the name of John the Baptist would loom large.
This was a figure who was widely held in high regard and commanded great loyalty, even devotion, from his followers.
“... for everyone held that John was a real prophet” (Mk. ch. 11 vs. 33).
However, despite his undoubtedly admirable personal qualities, if he had lived at a different time or in a different place he would be unknown.
What made him inspirational was his courage in speaking out when no-one else would.
“It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you:
he will prepare your way.
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ” (Mk. ch. 1 vs. 2-4)
The message from John was an inspiration to others.....
“All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.” (Mk. ch. 1 vs. 5)
.. because it articulated that which people knew, in their heart of hearts, was right.
“It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him.
And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on you”.
(Mk. ch. 1 vs. 9-11).
But the message was a challenge to the authority of the time.
“Now it was …. Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your brother's wife'.” (Mk. Ch 6 vs. 17-18).
And John paid the price for speaking out.
“So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John's head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison” (Mk. ch. 6 vs. 27-28).
However, despite the arrest and execution, a movement was born as the strength of feeling of the people was fuelled by a deep sense of injustice.
“After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. 'The time has come' he said 'and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News'.” (Mk. ch. 1 vs.14-15).
And the challenge to authority persisted.
“...... King Herod had heard about him, since by now his name was well known.
Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him'. Others said, 'He is Elijah'; others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have'. But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I have cut off; he has risen from the dead'.” (Mk. ch. 6 vs 14-16).
Throughout human history, there has been conflict. Black against white. Nation against nation. Religion against religion. Jew against gentile; conflict that is fuelled by a deep sense of injustice. Whenever, we see injustice, we shouldn't wait for the inspirational figure but we should speak out and act according to that which we know, in our heart of hearts, is right. For that is the voice of Divine Reason. That is the voice of Christ.
“Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say I am?” And they told him. 'John the Baptist,' they said 'others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets. ' But you,' he asked 'who do you say I am?' Peter spoke up and said to him, 'You are the Christ'. And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.” (Mk. ch. 8 vs. 27-30).
Dominick
Wednesday 6 January 2010
The Epiphany
An epiphany is the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something.
In Western Christianity, it a feast day that marks the coming of the magi in adoration of the infant Jesus. In Eastern Christianity, it is a feast day that marks the baptism by John.
In both cases the feast day is celebrated on January 6th and marks the end of the Christmas season. It is also an opportunity for reflection.
Christmas can be a time of great joy. It can also be a time of great unhappiness. It has that effect. It amplifies emotions. Up and down the land, feelings are expressed in a similar vein to these.
“Your mother’s not coming on Christmas Day is she? She’ll only criticise.”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would exorcise these negative feelings?
“It’s all left to me. I have to do everything and I can’t think of everything. Make your own dinner!”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would calmly explain that everything will be OK?
“Well, it’s my wife that does all the organising and preparation. I just turn up on the day.”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would firmly insist that you made a contribution?
“I know we agreed to go out on Boxing Day but I forgot and I’ve asked the neighbours around. I don’t want to disappoint them. I don’t know what to do.”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would forgive you?
“I don’t agree with your uncle. I’ve never agreed with your uncle. I’m not having your uncle around and that’s that”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would firmly insist that it is not acceptable to exclude someone simply because you don’t see eye to eye?
“I’m not going to be a bother. I’ll spend Christmas on my own”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would gently implore you to reach out and let other people into your life?
The beauty of scripture is that it speaks to different people in different ways. To me, the ailments described in the Galilean healing miracles in the Gospel of Mark are metaphors for states of mind and Jesus is exactly that voice of authority.
Isn’t the Capernaum Demoniac fearful because he is not open hearted?
Isn’t Simon’s Mother in Law, in an effort to do right by her daughter, stressed in making preparations for Simon’s guests?
Isn’t the Leper parasitically living off someone else’s good will?
Isn’t the Paralytic, torn as he is between different commitments, paralysed by guilt?
Isn’t the Man with the Withered Hand inhibited in reaching out because of his small-minded intolerance of others?
Isn’t the Woman with the Haemorrhage isolated because she doesn’t wish to bother with others?
The emotions we feel are as old as humanity itself but we shouldn’t always respond automatically to them. Instead we should step back and listen to that Voice of Authority.
There’s one way to have a joyful, peaceful and whole-ly experience at the festive time of year. That is to put Christ into Christmas.
Have a joyful and peaceful 2010.
Dominick
In Western Christianity, it a feast day that marks the coming of the magi in adoration of the infant Jesus. In Eastern Christianity, it is a feast day that marks the baptism by John.
In both cases the feast day is celebrated on January 6th and marks the end of the Christmas season. It is also an opportunity for reflection.
Christmas can be a time of great joy. It can also be a time of great unhappiness. It has that effect. It amplifies emotions. Up and down the land, feelings are expressed in a similar vein to these.
“Your mother’s not coming on Christmas Day is she? She’ll only criticise.”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would exorcise these negative feelings?
“It’s all left to me. I have to do everything and I can’t think of everything. Make your own dinner!”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would calmly explain that everything will be OK?
“Well, it’s my wife that does all the organising and preparation. I just turn up on the day.”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would firmly insist that you made a contribution?
“I know we agreed to go out on Boxing Day but I forgot and I’ve asked the neighbours around. I don’t want to disappoint them. I don’t know what to do.”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would forgive you?
“I don’t agree with your uncle. I’ve never agreed with your uncle. I’m not having your uncle around and that’s that”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would firmly insist that it is not acceptable to exclude someone simply because you don’t see eye to eye?
“I’m not going to be a bother. I’ll spend Christmas on my own”
Wouldn’t it be good if someone with authority would gently implore you to reach out and let other people into your life?
The beauty of scripture is that it speaks to different people in different ways. To me, the ailments described in the Galilean healing miracles in the Gospel of Mark are metaphors for states of mind and Jesus is exactly that voice of authority.
Isn’t the Capernaum Demoniac fearful because he is not open hearted?
Isn’t Simon’s Mother in Law, in an effort to do right by her daughter, stressed in making preparations for Simon’s guests?
Isn’t the Leper parasitically living off someone else’s good will?
Isn’t the Paralytic, torn as he is between different commitments, paralysed by guilt?
Isn’t the Man with the Withered Hand inhibited in reaching out because of his small-minded intolerance of others?
Isn’t the Woman with the Haemorrhage isolated because she doesn’t wish to bother with others?
The emotions we feel are as old as humanity itself but we shouldn’t always respond automatically to them. Instead we should step back and listen to that Voice of Authority.
There’s one way to have a joyful, peaceful and whole-ly experience at the festive time of year. That is to put Christ into Christmas.
Have a joyful and peaceful 2010.
Dominick
Friday 1 January 2010
A New Year
OK.
The words may not always be particularly polished; and the structure would be better if this was a formal piece but this medium has its compensations. Ideas can be quickly floated into the web-wide world and....., hopefully, those ideas will generate responses.
And this is the point.
I want these ideas to resonate with others. I want them to strike a chord. I want others to recognise what I have come to believe..., belatedly.
The Gospel of Mark is likely to be the earliest Gospel in the New Testament Canon. And it is a magnificent work of literature - a work of parable and allegory, myth and metaphor. A work that describes what it is to be human which, far from being a literal description of the life of Christ, is a work that highlights our human failings and encourages us to come together as one people with a common identity.
The psychological and sociological benefits of a Christian identity are plain but the problem for me has always been this.
If Christ is the only Son of a supernatural being then other religions are simply plain wrong and I cannot accept that.
If Jesus was simply a preacher around whom a divine myth has been created then the miracle accounts look like propaganda and this results in a very weak Faith.
If Jesus is both Man and supernatural being, this simply compounds the problem.
But let us regard the Christ in Mark's Gospel as Divine Reason. The equivalent to the Logos in the prologue of John's Gospel.
That Logos that embraces the Self but encompasses the Family.
That Logos that embraces the Family but encompasses the Community.
That Logos that embraces the Community but encompasses Society.
That Logos that embraces Society but encompasses Humanity.
That Logos that embraces Humanity but encompasses the World.
That Logos that embraces the World but encompasses the Cosmos.
I am no theologian and if what I write appears naive or trite, I ask for your tolerance. But if we see Christ as that Divine Reason that prompts us to look beyond ourselves, then the Gospel of Mark comes alive.
May Christ be with you throughout 2010 and always.
Dominick
The words may not always be particularly polished; and the structure would be better if this was a formal piece but this medium has its compensations. Ideas can be quickly floated into the web-wide world and....., hopefully, those ideas will generate responses.
And this is the point.
I want these ideas to resonate with others. I want them to strike a chord. I want others to recognise what I have come to believe..., belatedly.
The Gospel of Mark is likely to be the earliest Gospel in the New Testament Canon. And it is a magnificent work of literature - a work of parable and allegory, myth and metaphor. A work that describes what it is to be human which, far from being a literal description of the life of Christ, is a work that highlights our human failings and encourages us to come together as one people with a common identity.
The psychological and sociological benefits of a Christian identity are plain but the problem for me has always been this.
If Christ is the only Son of a supernatural being then other religions are simply plain wrong and I cannot accept that.
If Jesus was simply a preacher around whom a divine myth has been created then the miracle accounts look like propaganda and this results in a very weak Faith.
If Jesus is both Man and supernatural being, this simply compounds the problem.
But let us regard the Christ in Mark's Gospel as Divine Reason. The equivalent to the Logos in the prologue of John's Gospel.
That Logos that embraces the Self but encompasses the Family.
That Logos that embraces the Family but encompasses the Community.
That Logos that embraces the Community but encompasses Society.
That Logos that embraces Society but encompasses Humanity.
That Logos that embraces Humanity but encompasses the World.
That Logos that embraces the World but encompasses the Cosmos.
I am no theologian and if what I write appears naive or trite, I ask for your tolerance. But if we see Christ as that Divine Reason that prompts us to look beyond ourselves, then the Gospel of Mark comes alive.
May Christ be with you throughout 2010 and always.
Dominick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)