Blasphemers and exorcists - August 5

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 34; PM Psalm 85, 86
2 Samuel 11:1-27; Acts 19:11-20; Mark 9:2-13

Sam and I loved living in Crestwood North, nestled in an old neighborhood with sidewalks, mature trees, and charming homes lining the roads. We had a 1920s bungalow-style house that Sam was restoring one project at a time. We spent lots of time outside in the yard or on the screened porch, so we got to know the eclectic community of people around us.

I came home one afternoon and Sam had quite a tale to tell. He had been working in the backyard and overheard loud shouts. He walked up the driveway toward the street to see what was happening. Sam saw our neighbor from two doors down – I’ll call him Thomas. At the time, Thomas was probably 35 years old. He was a firefighter, and like Sam, he always had home projects going on. Overall, Thomas was affable, helpful, and always ready to talk.

On this particular day, Sam saw a different side of Thomas, who was in his front yard, shaking his fists in the air, and yelling, “Blasphemers!!” at a small cluster of three or four people who looked to be well-dressed and in their 50s or 60s. The foot-traveling evangelists were walking away quickly from Thomas down the sidewalk. But he did not stop shouting after them that what they were peddling was blasphemy and contrary to God’s word until he was halfway down the street and they had rounded the corner.

I do not count it as coincidence that the Jehovah’s Witnesses did not come to our street or knock on our door again.

I am reminded of that quirky neighborhood tale from a decade ago as I read of the itinerant Jewish exorcists in Acts 19. There were varied practices of faith, mysticism, magic, and idolatry during the days of the early Christian church – which is much of the backdrop when we read the apostle Paul’s letters to the faithful in Ephesus, Corinth, and other hamlets in the Mediterranean. And here, we have this spiritual standoff between the power of God through Jesus and some evil spirits. The brand of faith healing espoused by the seven sons of Sceva could not stand up to the wicked spirit because of one important detail: a lack of full belief in the power and presence of Jesus.

We read that they tried to cast out evil spirits by saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Their spell against the malicious essence is lacking, spiritually and stylistically. The exorcists lead with a first-person perspective: I charge you. Then, they claim Jesus as the source of power. There is a problem, though. The way in which they name Jesus – “whom Paul proclaims” – puts distance between themselves and the power they seek to wield. The seven do not draw near to Jesus…they have no connection to him. And so, their attempts to cast out evil fall flat and backfire upon them.

In the Episcopal Church, exorcism is not something that happens often – as far as I know. Consulting the handy online glossary of the Episcopal Church, I found this: “Exorcist was one of the old minor orders. Originally it designated a person whose liturgical duties included laying hands on catechumens (those preparing for baptism) and energumens (those possessed by unclean spirits). It was later one of the orders through which one passed on the way to priesthood. The Church of England abandoned minor orders at the Reformation, and the Roman Catholic Church suppressed them in 1972. Today an exorcist is a person appointed by the bishop to perform a rite of exorcism. An exorcist is usually but not necessarily a priest.” In seminary, I was not instructed how to do a proper exorcism. Rather, we were instructed to contact our bishop for further help, if such a need arose.

While exorcisms are tricky (and ill advised), if it is a house blessing you are seeking, call your priests. We are here to pray with you and celebrate God filling the spaces in which you live and move and have your being.

Katherine+

Questions for Reflection

Does it ever feel like your prayers are falling flat? What or who draws you near to Jesus again?

Daily Challenge

There is a fine line sometimes between mainstream faiths and the religious movements that fall into grey areas. Think about a group that may leave you squirming or scratching your head about its authenticity. Read a little about that entity. And then, spend ten minutes in prayer and journaling, asking Jesus to be your guide in understanding. Pray that God’s love may fill the lives of all people. Listen for what additional questions come up for you. And stay curious, while grounded in God.