Dearest e-votees,
We live in a world where we long for and imagine we have much more control than we really do. Irresistible urges from within and overpowering forces from without steer us about. Our hope is not in our ability to get a handle on things but rather to trust that God who has grabbed onto us will never let us go. It is in yielding our presumed control that we find our security and place in God's loving embrace.
Peace,
Karl
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14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Mark 6:14-29, NRSV
Absolutely every major character in this gospel account are out of control.
John is locked up in prison. He told the truth and the hearers responded by shutting him away. John had lost his freedom. He has even started to question if his cousin is really the one to come (as related in a parallel account. As the story progresses John's limited freedom is stripped completely away.
Herod's daughter (or maybe daughter-in-law through his illicit marriage) has no control. She is playing into the coercions and expectations of a patriarchal and abusive society. We don't know the exact dance moves she executed but they are much closer to something at a so-called "adult" club as compared to something more innocuous. She is executing a provocative dance for her uncle and father-in-law in the presence of a drunken and covetous crowd. As she goes through the motions she gives herself away and control slips from her adolescent fingers.
King Herod loses control. He lusts after his daughter/daughter-in-law. He makes perhaps the second stupidest promise in scripture (see the story of Jepthah and his daughter for the even still more stupid promise). He offers up to half of his kingdom. Once the words have spilled across his covetous mind and his drunken lips he can't take them back. He is too prideful to do the right thing. Even though he admires John and likes to listen to him he is more concerned about his reputation than the life of a wrongfully accused prophet. Herod is being controlled by his lusts and his pride. There is nothing beyond his reptilian brain at work here.
Herodias is fueled by hatred and petty disdain. She has been called out with Herod for doing what everyone knew they should not and she could not tolerate it. She nursed a grudge and waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. Like a snake lying in wait her reptilian revenge was wrought by requesting the most grotesque of party favors.
Not one of these characters are steering their own fate. There are powers and passions beyond their own that are driving the story. How about us? Do we embrace the mistaken notion that we are in some serious amount of control of our fate? Do we think ourselves more collected and more self-controlled than any of the four? Or can we acknowledge that powers and passions far beyond our own have major control in our life? Our hope isn't in what we think or feel or choose or bring to bear. Even if we were freely making the choices, which we are not, wee would certainly follow self-serving and death-dealing ends.
The truth is that God is the power that is our only hope. Jesus' passion is the one that connects us to God and brings hope. John's death clearly foreshadows Jesus' death. As we are brought into the saving work of the cross there is hope and resurrection. Jesus' death breaks the powers and passions that so long to rule us. As we embrace Jesus' death and our connection to it in baptism there is hope. There is a new power and a new passion at work in us.
God help us not let John's grisly death be in vain. Help us never let Jesus' grisly death be in vain. Draw us to the cross. Save us through the passion of Jesus. Set us free to bear that freedom to others. Please help control come back into our lives.
God, thank you for thorns. Thank you for deep and abiding promises that you can work all thorny situations for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. Amen.
We live in a world where we long for and imagine we have much more control than we really do. Irresistible urges from within and overpowering forces from without steer us about. Our hope is not in our ability to get a handle on things but rather to trust that God who has grabbed onto us will never let us go. It is in yielding our presumed control that we find our security and place in God's loving embrace.
Peace,
Karl
------------
14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Absolutely every major character in this gospel account are out of control.
John is locked up in prison. He told the truth and the hearers responded by shutting him away. John had lost his freedom. He has even started to question if his cousin is really the one to come (as related in a parallel account. As the story progresses John's limited freedom is stripped completely away.
Herod's daughter (or maybe daughter-in-law through his illicit marriage) has no control. She is playing into the coercions and expectations of a patriarchal and abusive society. We don't know the exact dance moves she executed but they are much closer to something at a so-called "adult" club as compared to something more innocuous. She is executing a provocative dance for her uncle and father-in-law in the presence of a drunken and covetous crowd. As she goes through the motions she gives herself away and control slips from her adolescent fingers.
King Herod loses control. He lusts after his daughter/daughter-in-law. He makes perhaps the second stupidest promise in scripture (see the story of Jepthah and his daughter for the even still more stupid promise). He offers up to half of his kingdom. Once the words have spilled across his covetous mind and his drunken lips he can't take them back. He is too prideful to do the right thing. Even though he admires John and likes to listen to him he is more concerned about his reputation than the life of a wrongfully accused prophet. Herod is being controlled by his lusts and his pride. There is nothing beyond his reptilian brain at work here.
Herodias is fueled by hatred and petty disdain. She has been called out with Herod for doing what everyone knew they should not and she could not tolerate it. She nursed a grudge and waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. Like a snake lying in wait her reptilian revenge was wrought by requesting the most grotesque of party favors.
Not one of these characters are steering their own fate. There are powers and passions beyond their own that are driving the story. How about us? Do we embrace the mistaken notion that we are in some serious amount of control of our fate? Do we think ourselves more collected and more self-controlled than any of the four? Or can we acknowledge that powers and passions far beyond our own have major control in our life? Our hope isn't in what we think or feel or choose or bring to bear. Even if we were freely making the choices, which we are not, wee would certainly follow self-serving and death-dealing ends.
The truth is that God is the power that is our only hope. Jesus' passion is the one that connects us to God and brings hope. John's death clearly foreshadows Jesus' death. As we are brought into the saving work of the cross there is hope and resurrection. Jesus' death breaks the powers and passions that so long to rule us. As we embrace Jesus' death and our connection to it in baptism there is hope. There is a new power and a new passion at work in us.
God help us not let John's grisly death be in vain. Help us never let Jesus' grisly death be in vain. Draw us to the cross. Save us through the passion of Jesus. Set us free to bear that freedom to others. Please help control come back into our lives.
God, thank you for thorns. Thank you for deep and abiding promises that you can work all thorny situations for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. Amen.
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