 |
| Christ asleep during the storm Eugène Delacroix c. 1853 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
Asleep on a Cushion
"Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man's ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor," [said Nathan]. David grew very angry with that man and said to him: "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this merits death! He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity." 2 Samuel 12:4-6
A violent squall came up, and waves were breaking over the boat so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Mark 4:37-38
Piety
Awareness of God's Presence
From heaven to Earth:
I watch you interact.
I see you dance.
I watch your breakdowns.
I see you love.
I suffer through your struggles.
I revel in your accomplishments.
I cry when someone taunts you
I laugh when someone laughs with you.
I am the peace you feel amidst the confusion.
I am the grass that cushions your fall.
I am the comfort of your hug to another.
I am the food for those who have none.
I long for you to notice. Thank you for the times you have.
If you could, do you think, when you wake up in the morning, you could whisper in the depths of your heart, "I know you're here"? Because I am. Amen. (Now and Forever: The CUA Student Prayer Book)
Study
Very puzzling…at first. How do these two stories relate? The first reading usually illuminates the Gospel. But the combination today doe does not seem to fit comfortably together. How does vengeance against murdering adultery and rescue at sea relate?
The passage from the Hebrew Bible recounts the second recorded meeting between King David and the prophet Nathan. The visit is not very cordial because Nathan confronts David about his adultery and murder. David committed adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. He attempted to cover it up but despite multiple efforts, he could not. So, David ordered Uriah killed so the king could then marry Bathsheba and raise their illegitimate son.
The coverup is worse than the original crime (adultery). The parable that Nathan tells of the rich man killing the ewe illustrates the blood David's hands. The outcome of Nathan's parable was the way he broke the news that God would bring judgment upon David for his sins. That punishment resulted in the yet another death – the death of David and Bathsheba's child. Would David be next? If God took his son's life, will God take David next? Such an-eye-for-an-eye-type justice finally leads David – in the face of possible death -- to change his evil ways. He repented. God forgave him. David remains king.
In the Good News today, Jesus is asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat while a major storm comes up seemingly out of nowhere. After all, had these experienced fishermen seen signs of the rain on the horizon, then they probably would have stayed on shore. The companions are concerned both with the storm they face and with the fact that Jesus at first seems aloof and indifferent to their unexpected dilemma – sleeping through the crisis. The storm is the parallel threat of death – like the threat of death David faced.
Ah, but God does not sleep through this crisis or the crisis faced by David.
These two stories depict very different demeanors. With David, he was getting what he seemed to deserve. With the disciples, they did not expect to drown at sea today and feared for their life. But what is the same is God's action. When David turned to God with repentance, God responded with love and mercy. When the disciples turned to Jesus in faith that he could save them, Jesus acted with love and compassion. In both stories, God fulfills his part of the deal (aka the covenant).
Action
Ah, but God does not sleep through this crisis, or the dilemma faced by David, or ours.
What storms are on your horizon? Do you even see them coming? How will you deal with them? Will you take matters into your own hands? Or will you share the crisis with the Lord and ask for help?
Cushions may be OK for a napping Jesus, but we have to be on guard about our cushions.
A Christian from Germany visited the United States shortly after World War II. "I notice your churches have cushions," he commented, suggesting churches of affluence. Then he added, "I notice your preaching has cushions, too." The visitor had gotten a sampling of feel-good sermons that trod lightly (if at all) on the expectations God has for us regarding love and justice toward the poor.[i]
Let us not sleep through the crisis facing others. Help others with the same love and mercy we seek from the Lord for ourselves.
[i] Simon, Arthur. How Much is Enough? Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, p. 13.
No comments:
Post a Comment