The Puzzle - October 31
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 55; PM Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23), Ecclus. 35:1-17; Rev. 13:11-18; Luke 12:32-48
My childhood friend Brooke generously invited me along with her family to the beach during our teenage years. On rainy afternoons when we were stuck indoors, we would sit on the plush carpet of her parents’ condominium in Florida and work on a puzzle. The minutes would melt by as I focused intently on the curves and angles of the tiny cardboard pieces. What gratification I felt upon clicking just the right one into place, completing a section…solving a portion of the 500 piece mystery. Even today, I love puzzles. They bring me a sense of calm, as I slow down and leave behind the messiness of life for just a little while. There is a meditative quality to the discipline of searching for patterns. I am struck by the realizations that arise from the movement between surveying the puzzle’s broad landscape, to the intricacy of how a bicycle spoke pairs with the boards of a footbridge lined with flowers.
While the subject matter of Revelation 13 is quite jarring and disturbing, the word that bubbles up as I peruse the scripture is “puzzle”. The reflection presented by John of Patmos is a visceral, terrifying amalgamation of images and symbols, numbers and calculations. A beast rising out of the sea has 7 heads and 10 horns with 10 diadems. Another beast rises out of the earth that has 2 horns and speaks like a dragon. Signs are performed, deceptions happen, and people are marked on the hand or forehead with the name of the beast or the number of its name. In order to understand, we “calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person. It is the number six hundred and sixty-six.” (Rev 13:18)
As we put together the puzzle presented in this apocalyptic literature and try to live into wisdom, we may feel pulled to decode symbols. We want to understand what is being revealed, right? In this vein, there is an ancient practice called gematria that assigns significance to the sums of numerical values placed upon letters, and many theories have been proposed through that field of study. (Michael Gorman explores this and other avenues in his book Reading Revelation Responsibly.) We even may opt to avoid certain patterns and numbers that are considered “of the beast”. (Did you know that hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia is the technical term for the fear of the number 666?)
We also get to step back to see the larger picture of scripture and of the culture of the time. This piece of Revelation is a component of the prophetic drama revealing the truth and danger surrounding the Church bearing witness to the risen Christ in the world. Jesus as King of Heaven is not as disturbing to the empire, but Jesus as King of the Earth creates deep discomfort and uncertainty among those in temporal power. Those implications are a threat to the Roman Empire. Emperors were deified, with prayers made to them and their likenesses impressed upon coins across the kingdom as the legal tender. Jesus as Messiah – and the followers of his movement – threatened the imperial cult followings that solidified the stability of ancient Rome. The responses that followed were much like a beast lashing out against innocent lambs; followers of the Way were hunted and slaughtered. This was part of the backdrop at play in Revelation.
As we look to our 21st century Christian context, what can we take from this puzzle? Perhaps we are to take a deeper, questioning stance of ourselves and our surroundings: how are we intermingling representations of God’s will in civil religion? Are we representing God in truth? How might we be falling into Lamb-like routines that are raising up the human empire, rather than glorifying God? It’s a tricky, spooky space to consider. I’ll admit, it makes me uncomfortable to mull it over. I’m not fully sure where to go next – and that is what makes this a reflection on scripture and not a definitive interpretation!
What do I know is this: Jesus reminded his friends to be dressed for action and have their lamps lit (Luke 12:35). We are called to keep awake and aware. Let us keep studying the puzzles in front of us. Let us keep wrestling with how authentically we are living into God’s commandments and Jesus’ footsteps. And when we’re feeling weary and worried, let’s listen to Jesus’ encouragement: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What is a piece of God's truth that you need to hear today?
Where are you praying for God's peace to bring sense to the puzzle of your life?
Daily Challenge
Feeling stressed today? Embrace whimsy: imagine the source of your tension as a monster. Describe it: color, composition, attributes, etc. How does creating a visual image of that stressful entity create a way for you to cope with it?