"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 Lent is a long journey. Four weeks are now in the rear view mirror. Four weeks under our feet. The soles of our shoes are wearing thin. The dust is building up on our hands and our faces are red from the sun.
From Ash Wednesday to this point, most of us have faced many of the difficult aspects of who we really are. That's what Lent is all about. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.
Humiliated. Anger. Violence. Darkness. Pain. Guilt. All by simply looking in the mirror. Confronting our demons. Pride. Selfishness. Arrogance. Lies. Deception. Death. Are you tired? Exhausted? Weak? You should be.
But keep going.
We're together.
Unity.
United as one Body: The Body of the One we journey to meet in a few weeks, naked as we are. Resurrected and unashamed.
We unite with Christ on Easter, but we've still got quite a ways to go.
Lent can be such an exhausting journey. We face things that stir up deep emotions within. Whether emotional, physical or spiritual, we all feel the miles that we've covered.
Weary and burdened.
But today we rest....
Breath
Stretch
Sleep
Eat
Drink Laugh Celebrate Embrace
Commune Today we rest. Lord, today we rest and celebrate you. We put aside our burdens, rest our weary bones and reflect on your goodness; your grace, mercy and your love for us. Enable us to rest. Help us to turn off the distractions and refresh our minds, bodies and spirits. Today we rest in you. Amen
"They wove thorn branches
into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in
his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and
taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” - Matthew 27:29
It's quite easy for us to put down another person, isn't it? We judge their thoughts. Ignore their feelings. Attack their very character. By our words, we invalidate. And when invalidated, we weaken the other. When someone is weak, they're vulnerable, and when they're vulnerable, they have no defense. In the line of fire, we target our opponent with precision, selecting just the right weapon. A dagger of words. A knife in the back. Lashing of the tongue. A kick in the proverbial crotch.
We methodically weave our crowns of thorns, careful not to spill any of our own blood. We fasten our weapon to the head, making sure that each thorn is imbedded deep into the skull. We inflict as much pain as as possible, hearing the bone crack and skin tear. We see the blood trickle down and we laugh to ourselves with delight. Mockery is an added bonus.
"If it was good enough for Christ, it's good enough for my friend."
But something stops us in the midst of our persecution. We pause. We reflect. Who is the person that we just attacked? They look familiar. Too familiar. Same hair. Same devious smile. Same blood. Same crown.
Because in the end, we're always the ones who stand accused. We're the ones that stand vulnerable. Weak. bloody. Naked. Invalidated.
Lent is a time for self examination. A time to reflect. When we do, we see our treatment of others, but realize that the judgment always falls back on us. We put ourselves down. We are sickened by our own thoughts. We reject our own feelings and we attack our own character. We stand as an open target. We prepare our heads for the crown we've created for ourselves. We mock that which is reflected in the mirror.
But in our reflection, we come to the realization that Christ bore the same crown. He bore the pain and mockery. He endured the shame, standing naked before his accusers.
Lent reveals to us that we no longer have to see our own reflection in the mirror. Christ reflects back to us.
"It is finished."
Lord, as we examine ourselves during this Lenten season, enable us to accept the pain and mockery that we inflict on others. Enable us to see how we judge, accuse, ridicule and invalidate. But in the midst of our realization, help us also to humbly see our ways in light of You love, mercy and grace. For only then can we begin to reveal Your vision for the perfect Kingdom. Amen
"....many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forwardand declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” - Matthew 26:60-61
"We've got to find some dirt on this guy!" "What kind of skeletons does he have hiding in his closet?"
Imagine how deep those witnesses had to dig in order to dredge up dirt on Jesus. How many people did they talk to? How many stories did they listen to in order to twist the words to fit their narrow minded agenda?And in the end, they didn't do a very good job when you think about it. A simple quote spoken years before, taken completely out of context and made to be "truth". The spiritual made literal.
"Do you think they'll believe it?"
"Are you kidding me? Those followers of his will believe anything we tell them. They're stupid, moronic and uneducated slobs! Filthy sheep!"
But.... "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
"Who said that?"
Maybe later, Jesus. But for now, your stupid sheep are going to reject you, spit in your face, stab you in the back and twist the knife as many times as possible.
Truth flies out of the window when you're looking to falsely accuse someone. The only thing that matters is convincing everyone else that your story is "true". Truth becomes relative. We believe what we hear, not what we know. Groupthink. Crucify! Crucify!
What is truth?
We love to dredge up the past in order to wound others, don't we?It's one of our best defenses. Hurt others before we get hurt. DEFENSE!
Forgive and forget?
Stab and twist.
What's in your closet?
"You know, that pervert has a porn addiction, right?"
"She used to smoke pot with me back in the day! She's in church? Freaking hypocrite!"
"Married with two kids? And he's sleeping with another guy? Faggot sodomite!" "He's divorced, but they're letting him pastor this church? Let's get him out of here!" "Was she drinking a beer? She is so busted!" "I'm not saying anything, but I saw his financial statement and......" "That slut sleeps with anyone! Now everyone is going to know!....Hmmm, wonder what my chances are?"
"He's different. He's looks different and dresses weird. He's a freak. Tried to kill himself. See the scars on his wrists?"
And then we pride ourselves on cleansing the Kingdom of God of such filth.
"I'm only doing God's will. If it destroys her family, so be it! If he's fired, too bad! Screw him! He had it coming! Scum bag!"
Are we any different? Jesus would have a tough time in 2016 America. He'd be screwed, and we'd make sure he got what's coming to him. We would just use a semi-automatic instead of the knife in his back. Lethal injection rather than a cross.
Lord, we realize that we are no better than those that falsely accused You. We falsely accuse others all the time. And by our hypocrisy, we accuse ourselves and make ourselves liars. Help us Lord, to not bear false witness to you or anyone else in our lives. Teach us to forgive and truly forget. Amen
David Bowie is not an artist without controversy. Since the release of his
first album in 1967, the sometimes androgynous performer has always possessed
the ability to stir the pot, especially when rock and roll needed it the most.
One of the first patrons of Glam Rock, if not the first, Bowie has taken music
to another level that has satisfied the ears as well as the other senses.
Unlike many of the transparent musician-songwriters of today, Bowie cannot be
contained to a particular box of genre. In fact, just when you think you have
him figured out, you find that he is just as much a mystery as he ever has
been.
When you ponder his lengthy career, the only time that you might find Bowie
without controversy is when he is absent from the music scene. Since the
release of his 2003 album Reality, a few live endeavors and the
appearance in the 2006 British film, The Prestige, not much has been
heard from Bowie save a few occasional mentions guaranteed an artist of his
status. But with the release of his new album, The Next Day, and the
accompanying video for the title track, the 66 year old Bowie proves that he is
still capable of attracting controversy; this time from the Anglican and
Catholic Church.
In the occasional instance that Christianity and pop culture cross paths, my
interest and attention is always heightened. Although Evangelical Christianity
has done is best to meld itself within the realms of post-modern culture, the
success has been short-lived and in some cases destructive. The Christian
concept of being "in the world, but not of the world",
attributed from such verses as John 15:19 and Romans 12:2,
has become somewhat of an anomaly; not particularly appearing in either camp
with much clarity. Post-Modern Evangelicalism has become somewhat of a
caricature of itself, developing it's own image of culture, but not really
obtaining a sustainable manner of functioning within it. Ironically, it is
usually from the secular that arise challenging messages of faith and thought
provoking images of Christianity and the Church. So it is with The Next Day.
Whether considered controversial or not, the video for The Next Day
is not without shocking and suggestive imagery. Upon it's release, The Catholic
League attacked Bowie as being a "switch-hitting, bisexual senior
citizen from London" that "is strewn with characteristic
excess." The League's President, Bill Donohoe, stated that "the
video is strewn with characteristic excess: one priest bashes a homeless man, while
others are busy hitting on women…The lyrics refer to the “priest stiff in
hate” and “women dressed as men for the pleasure of that priest.” The song
concludes with, “They can work with Satan while they dress with the saints.” In
short, the video reflects the artist—it is a mess." Donohoe goes on
to accuse Bowie of not understanding true Christianity and being "confused
about religion."
I must admit that as a minister, I was a bit apprehensive in viewing the
video based on what I had previously heard. The pointless and ignorant
ridiculing of any faith system, especially within the obscene and offensive, is
one of the only arenas in which I don't have much tolerance. I have always been
a fan of David Bowie and his music, but after reading other commentary and
discovering that even Youtube had given the video an adult only "Content
Warning" for being "Explicit", I began to wonder if Bowie had
possibly pushed the limits and that no redeeming aspects would be found in this
endeavor. Again, I cannot stress the fact that the video is shocking and what
many would consider offensive, but what I discovered in The Next Day
was just the opposite of what I had expected, and what many views might expect
as well.
The video not only features Bowie, but also actors Gary Oldman and Marion
Cotillard. It opens to Gothic imagery with the sound of church bells
outside of what appears to be a church converted into a nightclub. The plot
begins with a priest, played by Oldman, punching and knocking out a homeless
man begging for money. One would be tempted to immediately draw a connection to
the Pharisees of Jesus time, but there is no concealing the lack of compassion.
He is accompanied by what appears to be a nun as they enter into the club and a
scene of complete Christian hypocrisy and debauchery. The priest's nun
companion apparently has had her eyes gouged out, perhaps from the excessive
sin that she has been forced to witness, or perhaps to protect her form the
truth of her surroundings. "...if your eye causes you to sin, gouge
it out and throw it away." (Matthew 18:9). Was this her own doing or
the priest; done to protect her salvation, knowing that the removal of one eye
would not suffice? The head of the Baptist? Righteousness on a platter?
David Bowie portrays a Christ-like lead singer of the house band, appearing
to vocally chastise the clubs patrons, particularly Oldman's character, who
chooses a scantily clad woman (Cotillard) to join him on the dance floor. The
room begins to spin out of control as Bowie continues his accusing, reminiscent
of Christ's charge to the Pharisees as being "whitewashed tombs"
(Matthew 23:27). Cotillard's character's eyes begin darting around the
room, apparently becoming disturbed, and possibly spiritually convicted, by the
blatant sin that fills the room. Her emotional state eventually becomes
physical as she develops stigmata. Blood gushes from her wrists and onto the
clubs patrons as Oldman directs his anger toward Bowie, "This is your
doing! You call yourself a prophet?!"
As Christ's message of repentance was rejected, so is Bowie's as he is
attacked by the crowd of priests, Cardinals, nuns and patrons; pummeled and
beaten to the ground. The video's climax and most glaring images of Christology
lie in the obvious redemption of Colliard's character as she rises to her feet,
the stigmatic blood flow ceased. With hands still scared and stained with
blood, her eyes become fixed on a distant light, as if receiving some sort of
divine revelation. Bowie takes notice of this and joins her with the other
religious leaders, all realizing that something miraculous has occurred. Bowie
addresses the room, thanking them as if his mission has been accomplished, and
then vanishes to the stunned surprise of all.
The question remains: Is The Next Day UN-Christian, anti-religion,
sacrilegious or antagonistic of the Church in general? Can we learn anything
about ourselves, faith or theology? Ultimately, that determination needs to be
made by each person that views the video on their own. However, is it possible that
the negativity directed toward Bowie and this video has developed not because
of the underlying message, but the shocking imagery itself. Let us not forget:
Stigma is a bloody spiritual condition, one that not even St. Francis would
have had an issue with in terms of the offensive nature. Could there be a
positive message found beneath the shocking storyline; a story that just might
emulate reality more than fiction?
We live in a culture of hypocrisy that permeates all compartments of life,
including the Church. This is made clear by Bowie's video which represents the
negative and destructive worldview held by believers and non-believers alike.
Bowie's Christ-like character calls out the hypocrisy of Christian leadership,
resulting in the apparent repentance and redemption of Colliard's character and
possibly the collective group as well. None the less, shocking, vulgar and
violent though it may be, so lies the reality of our world. Are we not all
hopeless sinners in need of redemption? And let's face it; when was the last
time you witnessed repentance and stigmata provoked by the convicting words of
a worship leader? I prefer Bowie's attire as well.
“After
they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen
when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child
was. When they saw the star, they were
overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and
they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their
treasures and
presented him with gifts
of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew
2:9-11
Reflection
The astrological event that led the wise
men to Jesus was brighter and more spectacular than any other. Through God’s divine providence, it
appeared to announce the birth of Christ for those that were watching and
waiting. From all practical perspectives, everyone should have noticed the splendor
of this unusual event. But the Bible and other historical sources tell us that
this was unfortunately not the case. Only a few educated philosophers and
astronomers were able to interpret this glorious birth announcement, three of
which are revealed in our passage for today. They knew that they were
witnessing an extraordinary event. Something was taking place that was beyond
the traditional and often narrow view of the natural world, and they wanted to be a
part of it.
Sometimes we allow tradition
to cloud our perspective of what God is doing in our world. We get so consumed
with our narrow view of things that we forget that God's view encompasses so much
more. Especially during the Christmas holidays, it’s easy for us to get
sidetracked. It’s easy to slip into a complacent mindset that misses the big
picture. When this happens, peace tends to elude us and joy becomes a rare. Just as many missed the coming of the Messiah, we miss the unusually
bright star in our lives as well because we fail to look up.
As we come to the end of the second week of Advent, let us commit ourselves to look up and see things from God’s
perspective. Let us not miss the “bright morning star”. Let us keep our eyes
upon the “light of the world”. As He guides us toward Christmas, let our perspective
be clear, and our view broad.
Prayer
God, we confess that
sometimes we allow ourselves to be consumed by the cultural views around us. With our
eyes focused on the world, we miss the miraculous things that you do in our
lives. Help us, Lord to keep our eyes focused upon you and not miss the guiding
stars that you place before us. Amen
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
