Recognize Your Allies
Numbers 11:24-29; Mark 9:38-50
Lisbon, Portugal is home to the towering Batalha Monastery, one of the great achievements of Portuguese Catholic architecture. I learned about it reading Kate Bowler’s book, No Cure for Being Human, in a chapter titled, Unfinished Cathedrals. Kate describes walking through the long, stone corridors, pausing in the lavish courtyard before finally walking through the massive sanctuary. Every ornamental doodly-bob is in stone. Pineapples, flowers, faces make up the thousands of tiny sculptures that crowd every square inch of the stone edifice. This is typical late Gothic architecture and then the Portuguese added even more! The cathedrals of this time were built by the burgeoning spoils brought back from the New World and the booming profits of the spice trade. The altars of Lisbon were gilded so heavily that the marble floors had to be reinforced to support all that gold. Making her way to one of the chapels, Kate suddenly realized that sunlight was pouring in forming shadows on the floor. Because far above her head, where the arched stone ceiling should be, was wide open. It was not enclosed. It was never finished. Seven kings had overseen the rise of this monument and had buried their dynasty in its walls, yet none lived to see it finished. The story goes that the plans for the building became so drawn out that eventually the idea of finishing it was simply abandoned. Some believe it is much better that way - unfinished.[1] Always open to Light and shadow. Incomplete… Or always open to what may come. I like the image of the unfinished cathedral – as a place that holds the presence of God; it cannot confine God. Spirit is more free to blow where she will in a place that remains open.
I keep sticking with this Jesus story, week after week in the Gospel of Mark, no matter how shocking it is. Jesus may be going for some shock value explaining what to do about body parts that cause another to stumble, especially if it causes one of these “little ones to fall.” This scripture lesson has picked up right where we left off last week with a small child in the arms of Jesus being used as an example – to show to whom the Kingdom of God belongs. As far as we know, the child was still playing nearby. And John interrupted Jesus to mention something that is bothering him. They have seen someone else exorcizing demons in Jesus' name. But, John says, they tried to stop him from doing this because “he is not following us.” Did you catch that? John didn’t say, “He’s not following you.” He said “he is not following us.” Oops.
The exorcist is playing the same game, but his jersey is a different color. Is that what you’re hearing? That’s what I’m hearing. John is feeling team-loyal, possessive toward the chosen, Team Jesus. Who does this do-gooder think he is? He’s not one of us. Instead of recognizing they had an ally; being glad that there is at least one other person out there fighting the good fight, saving people from their demons, John wants Jesus to discredit him, or sue him for copyright? I’m not sure.[2]
Jesus is not about to interrupt someone doing good in his name. Isn’t that the goal? Anyone who will come alongside Jesus in the work of healing and helping the hurting should not be discouraged from doing so. Anyone doing good in Jesus’ name is not likely to speak ill of him soon after. Don’t turn them away, he says. And don’t turn away a cold drink of water given in my name either.
Then I wonder if he might have emphasized this next phrase just so: “Whoever is not against US is for US!” And I imagine Jesus drawing their attention back to the child. (Which is where Jesus was headed before John’s interruption.)[3]
He takes several salacious runs explaining the severity of getting between someone and their relationship to Jesus. “Cut it off” is a command not to be taken literally, but seriously.[4] We know Jesus well enough to know he is not advocating for self-mutilation, but self-awareness of that part of a person that is most likely to derail them, or worse - someone else, from following him wholeheartedly.[5]
His remarks are an invitation for our consideration. What is the unhealthy temptation, vice, preoccupation that is most likely to derail you? If you’re not sure how to answer that question, do a quick, silent inventory of where your money is spent? What eats your time? What devours your thoughts? The disciples were most recently guilty of arguing over who was the greatest. And that may sound so silly to us… but I’m sure I’ve spent too much time this past week on sillier things. For example, reading posts on social media and imagining witty or smug come backs to make myself sound clever and important and to make the other person look small. And I Never posted any of it!! Probably for the best! But what a waste - either way. So little actual value in that type of interaction. How is that any different from what the disciples were doing? A need to self-promote, defend an idea at the expense of someone else, or to belittle an opponent… Cut it off! Dismiss, let go of whatever it is that interrupts (or closes off) the good that God wants to do in you (if not for your own sake, for those who are watching).
The lectionary links this reading in Mark with another text in Numbers. The spirit of the Lord has come upon two men in the wilderness camp of Israel and they began prophesying. Medad and Eldad. Joshua gets protective of his mentor, Moses, and tells Moses to forbid them from prophesying among the Israelites. But Moses is the one who asked God to send help (the 70 who prophesied once). So, he names Joshua’s ‘jealousy’ on his behalf and says, “Would that all the Lord’s people be prophets! I wish God’s spirit would come upon every one of them!”
The response of Moses and Jesus seeks to correct a common attitude among church-folks when we get possessive toward God and hostile toward any other group whose beliefs, or worship-style, or meeting place is so different from ours. Both stories urge modern disciples to openness and acceptance.
God is not to be limited by us. God simply won’t be confined to any box we try to put God in to fit our theology, or liturgy, or tradition, or politics. Isn’t that magnificent?
The disciples claim they are all in on Jesus’ mission, but they also feel the need to draw lines and write up prerequisites. Yet Jesus continues to call them to “something more, something less guarded and more free.”[6]
I have found in my experiences that when folks double-down on exact beliefs and certainties of our faith, then we (dangerously) approach a moral high ground, superiority that leads to division and us / them thinking.
It’s like Mahan Siler says, “Up close I saw the danger of religion that hardens its arteries in the form of set beliefs. Such hardening forfeits mystery, silences wonder.” It thrives on certainty fueled by black and white thinking with its right/wrong, in/out, true/false way of seeing. This kind of thinking needs enemies in order to thrive. THIS is what Jesus is up against with the disciples in this scene in Mark. They are boxed into us them thinking.[7] Jesus is inviting them to open their box of beliefs and let Spirit flow in her wildness… Leading them to discover a faith that is less guarded and more free.
In the short time I have been here, I have had the opportunity and joy to meet several pastors in our area. I met with the Southeast Clergy Council - an interfaith group that includes several congregations on this side of town. This week, I met and had lunch with two women (Rev. Miriam Smith and Rev. Dr. Tara Bulger) who pastor downtown churches. I sat down with Dr. Mitchell Walker, pastor of Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian church this week and met some of his wonderful parishioners as they made sandwiches to take to Rose of Sharon soup kitchen.
Our churches are all different. Our congregations are passionate about different missions and social justice issues. Our buildings look very different. Our liturgy and worship styles vary greatly. But I am richer for knowing them. Because our challenges are similar. The weight of our calls and the essentials of our faith unify us as brothers and sisters. I don’t want to do this work without them. These are allies.
There are pastors and churches all over the city. Some with more affinity for one another than others, yes. But it doesn't matter how many of us there are – how many versions, stripes, blends, brands of religion. The amount of traffic on Sunday morning would indicate that we are far from our collective capacity.
Our buildings aren’t full and there are hurting people all around us who are craving hope and community, who have never experienced the unconditional love of God. Would that the spirit rest upon all flavors, blends and brands of church and they would be filled to overflowing! Amen?
We don’t need to feel threated by what other churches can offer. We don’t need to be jealous of what other congregations have. Our duty is to commit ourselves to remaining open, unfinished, if you will, expecting God to continue to form us into true disciples who are less guarded, more free.
Say that: Less Guarded. More free.
Lord help us,
To show love that is… less guarded, more free.
To share hospitality that is… less guarded, more free.
To work for justice that is… less guarded, more free.
To worship in ways that are… less guarded, more free.
And to serve alongside our neighbors in a way that is less guarded, more free.
The good news of Jesus cannot be contained, my friends. Thanks be to God.
[1] Bowler, Kate No Cure for Being Human and Other Truths I Need to Hear
[2] Adams, Ron https://www.christiancentury.org/sunday-s-coming/ordinary26b-adams
[3] Ruge-Jones, Philip Working Preacher.org commentary Mark 9:38-50
[4] Williamson, Lamar Jr. Interpretation Mark
[5] Garnaas-Holmes, Steve https://unfoldinglight.net/2009/12/01/ot-26-pe-17-september-26-2021/
[6] Adams, Ron
[7] Siler, Mahan Letters to Nancy: Reframes that Mattered