Not Without Honor
Piety
"These, therefore, are the festivals of the LORD on
which you shall proclaim a sacred assembly, and offer as an oblation to the
LORD burnt offerings and cereal offerings, sacrifices and libations, as
prescribed for each day."
Leviticus 23:37
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own
house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack
of faith. Matthew 13:57-58
Study
The primacy of authority and tradition come through loud and
clear in today’s readings. In the Hebrew
Bible, Leviticus is the middle book in the opening Pentateuch, written/compiled
more than 500 years before Christ was born. Today’s section lays out the
schedule and summary expectations for the major Jewish Holy Days including Passover, Pentecost, New Year’s Day (Rosh
Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Booths (Sukkot).
The traditions of the day carry on in many ways to current
times nearly three millennia later. My
first introduction to the Jewish traditions came in elementary school and I
have to thank Howard Levy and Tevye (from Fiddler on the roof).
The real tradition is about a life of quality, which
necessitates a devotion to high precepts. As Michael Oakeshott explains, “What
has to be learned is not an abstract idea, or a set of tricks, not even a
ritual, but a concrete coherent manner of living in all its intricateness.”
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| Tradition! |
Tradition had a way of governing life from sunrise to
sunset, from week to week, from year to year. There was the local learned rabbi
who would help the teach and guide the people. However, into this little village of Nazareth,
stepped Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph. He was the carpenter’s son, not schooled
in the laws and traditions yet here he sat.
In the temple of all places. In
the seat of influence.
Traditions were a source of comfort. Yet when Jesus assumed the rabbi’s place, he
took people outside that comfortable, balanced zone. If the rabbi sat there, no
one would question his authority. However, Jesus sat there.
A “commoner.” Teaching. When he ventured out of Nazareth,
Jesus was not without honor. Yet, here
among his friends, family, and neighbors, that was not the case. The seeds of
change that he was sowing were falling on rocky soil.
Action
We are all baptized “priest, prophet, and king.” As we work
to build the Tripod into our lives, the promises of Christ challenge us to get out
of our shell.
The “Tripod” is our community’s way of following a concrete,
coherent manner of living in all its intricateness. But sometimes, we fall out of step with it.
How about taking up one small step to strengthen your
pursuit of piety study and action – and help the community at the same time? I
invite anyone reading today’s reflection to pick a day in the near future and
write a reflection for the community. Coordinate
the day you choose with me.
- Read the daily readings in advance.
- Reflect on them.
- Delve into the notes and anything that strikes you.
- Check-in with any of the current writers and we can give you tips.
You, too, are a prophet not without honor.
Maybe you’ll like the stretch and join us on a regular basis. For now, consider taking one small step for
you, one giant leap into your baptismal roles.
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