Many people have developed traditions for Super Bowl Sunday. Maybe a group of friends got together a couple years back, and have continued to have parties every year since. And over that time certain rituals have begun. One common ritual I’ve observed is the banning of all talking during the commercials. Conversation during the game is fine, but if you talk and cause someone to miss that funny commercial, well, that’s borderline unforgivable.
Of course, from what I’m hearing, tradition is being thrown to the wind this year. At least for those of us who live in Arizona. Arizonans have built their Super Bowl traditions around the fact that the Cardinals never play in the Super Bowl. But now, all the sudden, the Cardinals are playing in the Super Bowl! I’ve heard of several people who have decided to cancel their traditional Super Bowl party so that they can actually watch the game this year. Some people do this in order to limit distractions and duties, so they can actually enjoy the game; others do it so that if, heaven forbid, things go south for the Cardinals, they don’t have to let other people see them break down in tears or thrown pillows against the wall.
This year, the Super Bowl is a personal experience for many many people in Arizona. The Cardinals playing in the Super Bowl is a new reality, which takes priority over our traditions.
The Gospel lesson for today illustrates how sometimes tradition needs to take a back seat to new relationships, new ideas, and unexpected sources of power.
In this scripture Jesus is teaching in the synagogue – a place where scribes would instruct the Jewish people in the laws and traditions of the faith. When Jesus began to teach there, the people in the synagogue expected a traditional message from one of the scribes; you know, nothing out of the ordinary. Not unlike how we come to church on Sundays quite confident that we will hear a message that is expected; something traditional; nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t think we come to church expecting to be blown away by some radical new idea.
But, when Jesus starts to talk, people are “astounded.” The dictionary definition: “filled with bewilderment or wonder.” He speaks and they have to listen; they have no other choice but to listen. They were hearing something that defied their expectation; it was a complete break with the tradition.
But here is what frustrates me about Mark’s Gospel – he doesn’t tell us what Jesus taught in the synagogue! I read this and feel like I’m in one of those cell phone commercials:
“(‘BOOP’) Aaron’s phone. Aaron doesn’t have the right cell phone company, so he’s got zero bars here in 2009. So he won’t be getting that message about what, exactly, Jesus told those people that completely blew their minds and changed the course of their lives forever.”
I want to be really mad at Mark for not thinking it was important to write down what, exactly, Jesus said that was so bewildering. But, I get it. I get what Mark’s doing – he is showing us that it is less about what Jesus’ words were; and more about what Jesus’ words did. We learn what Jesus taught elsewhere in the Gospel, but the emphasis here is that Jesus’ words have power. Jesus’ words not only made believers, but also drove out evil spirits.
While Jesus is teaching, a man with an unclean spirit comes forward and demands to know why Jesus is saying these things. He hisses, “Have you come here to destroy us?” Now, debate rages about whether this unclean spirit is an actual demon, or a man suffering from a mental disorder. But, I wonder, maybe it is just someone whose identity is so closely tied to the traditions of the synagogue, that he sees any deviation from the norm as a threat to his well-being.
We establish traditions in order to preserve our power. Surely we can look at our own culture and recognize how we react out of fear towards anything that appears to threaten our traditions. Some are afraid of people with one too many piercings or tattoos; or people who dress differently. Some are afraid of immigrants, no matter whether they are legal or not. Some are afraid of people who demand a living wage. Some are afraid of homosexuals. Some are afraid of women in leadership. Some are afraid of an African-American President.
We confront with anger that which we do not know. We get defensive when our traditions are threatened.
To these fears, Jesus says: “Unclean spirit, get out! Get over yourself. Things have changed. Your tradition isn’t going to cut it any longer. I have not come to destroy you, but rather to lead you to something greater than yourself – something greater beyond the walls you’ve built to protect yourself.”
Our challenge is to not be complacent or satisfied with tradition. Followers of Jesus have no choice but to let his word act with force in their lives. Jesus’ words call us to give up what makes us comfortable. Jesus’ words call us to open our eyes to the suffering of the world. And Jesus’ words call us to let Him guide our actions and institutions, strategic plans and mission statements. It’s time we started expecting more from the worldwide Christian church. This is not a place to come and have your walls of traditions reinforced. The church is no place for walls built to keep people out and preserve our power.
The church exists in order to proclaim the word of grace, which comes through Jesus Christ. The word of grace is that Jesus has died for you; your sins are forgiven; and Jesus is here, right now, showing you the way to something greater – God’s kingdom. This word of grace has power. It has the power to work miracles. And it has the power to cast out unclean spirits in your life. This word will guide you to help others and it will put you on the front lines of the battle between good and evil; justice and inequality.
May you be someone who is filled with bewilderment and wonder when you hear Jesus’ words. May you live as someone who understands that God’s authority may demand that walls of tradition come tumbling down.
Amen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment