Dark Stories and Holding on to Hope - July 26
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 56, 57, [58]; PM Psalm 64, 65; 2 Samuel 2:1-11; Acts 15:36-16:5; Mark 6:14-29
Today’s Gospel reading was also read a few weeks ago on a Sunday morning at church. More than the words of the reading, I can remember the audible gasp from a gentleman on the third row, Celebrant side. He turned to the person he was worshiping with and said something to the tune of: “Wow, that was dark.” Or at least that was the gist. It was loud enough that I could hear from where I sat. I am sure others heard as well. And he was right, and said what I think many of us were thinking, at least if we were paying attention.
I remember hearing Walter Brueggemann speak to a group of clergy several years ago and he shockingly questioned us Episcopal priests asking how we could so easily say, “the Word of the Lord” and just expect people to respond, “thanks be to God” as if the message was always easy and made sense. Sometimes there are stories like todays that are startling to hear, and we should probably be more surprised when they pop up, or maybe we aren’t paying that close of attention.
Today’s story is tough. Herod’s wife manipulates her daughter to demand the assassination of John the Baptist. Because Herod’s ego is significantly larger than his ethical compass, we end up with the head of John the Baptist being brought to Herod’s daughter on a platter. It sounds like a scene from The Godfather or Game of Thrones. You probably wouldn’t be surprised that we used the Old Testament lesson for Children’s Chapel on that Sunday.
Today might be an important reminder that we gather on as Christian community because we know the end of the story. We are caught up in this life-giving way because we know God’s love is bigger than anything else. God’s love is bigger than pain, loss, grief, death, and defeat. But this doesn’t free us from going through difficult and painful moments, especially when motivated by human egos with a lack of an ethical compass. Sometimes horrible things happen prompting the question, “Where is God in this story or event?”
The story of the beheading of John the Baptist is one such encounter. Maybe it is stories such as these within the overarching stories of our faith that remind us that the story is not yet finished. Sometimes the moments are dark but that is not the totality of what we are to experience. We just have to stick with the story a little longer and God will always shine redemption, hope, and resurrection.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What are the hardest stories for you to read in the Bible? What stories do you still struggle with today? What have been especially challenging moments in your life?
Daily Challenge: If you find yourself in an especially challenging period in your life, try journaling about some of your hopes and dreams for what is next. Write those down on a piece and place in an envelope with instructions to open and read in a year.