Eve of the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost (September 23, 2006) Canon Richard T. Nolan
A BRIEF MEDITATION ON THE COLLECT OF THE DAY AND THE READING FROM MARK
Collect of the Day
Among our prayers tonight is the Collect of the Day – which in our worship often functions to “collect” and draw together themes appropriate to the day; the Collect of the Day often reflects underlying themes of the appointed biblical selections. For tonight’s Service the Collect of the Day will be prayed, Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Origin and Theme of Tonight’s Collect
This evening’s Collect itself is very old and reflects the turbulent barbarian invasions during the 4th to 6th centuries in Europe. Grounded in the New Testament, the prayer is based on St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, which includes these words: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth …...” (ch. 3) The Collect conveys that no matter what is going on in the world, even when there is discord, keep your focus on the everlasting Word of God; for perspective on all that occurs on earth, look to, and hold on to, the dependable Way taught by Jesus Christ. Here we will find wisdom that provides the strength to live fully while coping with adversity.
The Reading from Mark (9:30-37, below)
During his ministry Jesus lived a full life and also contended with conflicts of all sorts. In the Reading from Mark he copes with his coming betrayal and execution. Additionally, consider what Jesus’ disciples were up to. They had been arguing “with one another who was the greatest,” in other words, who was the best and should have the most power among them. Jesus responded ingeniously that those who really want the most powerful position ought to be willing to take the lowest and serve others - not just exert authority over them. Furthermore, “he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’” You see, a child in Jesus culture had no significant social status whatsoever. For Jesus, they were among the most vulnerable and occupied the societal standing of the poor, the hungry, and the suffering. Nonetheless, the child was especially to be welcomed. Again in this instance, Jesus challenged the assumptions and values that drive many people and cultures right to the present.
Combined Themes of the Collect and the Reading from Mark
Blending the Collect and the Reading, we discover some unassailable, harmonious themes of the Good News of Christ:
1) no matter what is going on in the world, even when there is discord, keep your focus on the everlasting Word of God; for perspective on all that occurs on earth, look to, and hold on to, the Way, the dependable teachings of Jesus Christ. Here we will find wisdom that provides the strength to live fully while coping with adversity.
2) A segment of that wisdom is that Christians who seek power over others should instead be willing to take the lowest status position of serving others. A truly great person is the genuine servant.
A Recent Related Parish Event
Last Saturday a number of us gathered at our monthly parish forum, this time led by Fr. Roger Allee as he explored “The Art of Living Singly.” (His comments are available at www. IntegrityPalmBeach.org among several news items on the home page.) I was struck by his absolute candor; his willingness to share his own vulnerabilities as a single, openly gay man; and a total lack of self-importance that afflicts too many clergy. He approved my request to load his comments on my websites – which are widely visited. His genuine openness to serve with no pretense has most likely set aside opportunities to go up the professional clergy ladder in the Episcopal Church. He is not seeking power or prestige by playing to the crowd – pretending to be someone he is not or by saying what he thinks people want to hear! Clergy such as Fr. Roger serve authentically instead of strutting about pretentiously while seeking advancement.
An Illustration: Recent and Current Candidates for Bishop
In recent and future weeks, elections of candidates for positions as a bishop continue to occur. Some candidates desperately want and need to be a bishop, psychologically speaking; they spend years developing strategies to be on noticeable committees, to be present at conspicuous events, and in developing marvelous résumés and websites. I am not aware of any who have hired a publicist, yet! Such candidates use all the right words about the ultimate dependability of God’s Word and the centrality of service to others; however, they are cleverly self-serving while wearing the costume of a mediaeval, ecclesiastical prince. Moreover, genuine humility and sharing the responsibilities of ministry are painfully lacking. About 10% of the Episcopal bishops seem to be in this category. Similar comments would be applicable to clergy in most churches.
An Illustration (continued): Saint Ambrose as a Contrast
Contrast this unbridled ambition and pomposity with the way St. Ambrose was elected a bishop. At age 33 Ambrose, a layman, had an important position as governor of Milan, the approval and friendship of the emperor, and a large estate. When the bishop of Milan died, both sides of a theological controversy met in the cathedral, and a riot broke out. Public order was Ambrose's responsibility as governor, so he hurried to the church and made a passionate speech not in favor of either side, but in favor of peace. Suddenly, while he was speaking, a voice called out, "Ambrose for bishop!" Soon everyone was shouting, "Ambrose for bishop!" However, Ambrose neither wanted nor psychologically needed to be a bishop. Eventually though, he gave in and served as a bishop with unusual effectiveness.
How Do the Collect and Reading from Mark Relate to Our Lives?
You and I are constantly encouraged by our culture to be ambitious, to compete in virtually everything, to seek power and prestige, and to immerse ourselves in all sorts of unrelenting contentiousness. I am convinced that when we pray “not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly” we are not rejecting fulfilling lives here and now. Rather, we are praying about focus: our choice whether to focus exclusively on anxiety producing, even addictive, earthly things or to include in our lives levelheaded, godly service in whatever circumstances we find ourselves or where we feel nudged to go.
As we responsibly enjoy this earthly life (when we can) as God’s guests, we Christians are not to lose sight of the Word of God that frees us from driven ambition, never-ending competition, continuous quests for power and status, and from obsessive immersion in one conflict after another. We are invited to realize that in accord with the Creator’s intentions for all humanity, you and I become truly great and content through balanced service to God, our neighbors, and ourselves. Indeed, we are urged so very wisely by the Collect and the Reading to avoid concentrating on this earthly life’s self-defeating idols and decoys, and instead, to hold fast to the godly things that liberate us and endure forever. Now and then we do need to sort out our lives to discern what is earthly in a negative sense, what is heavenly or godly, and whether we really want to make choices to hold fast to that which will endure. It’s really up to each of us.
Mark 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
