Matthew under the arm 141
“This is the last stage”. Columba pointed towards the city that lay on the side of the great hill many miles ahead of us. I certainly did not want this pilgrimage to end. “When we arrive, will we see each other again? I have this feeling, Columba, that you will want to separate.” Columba stopped with a sorrowful look on his face. “What, my good and trusty friend, will you remember most of this pilgrimage?” I laughed. After all, what I would not remember? “Every single situation we have been in from the unremarkable to the extraordinary, you have summoned me to reflect on the presence of God in it all”. “Continue that and you will never be separated from me. Like that other story of separation, however, you will not hold on to me…”
Matthew 27.11-15
There is a strong temptation just to let this passage be! The last phrase is: ‘…the story among the Jews’. Reference to the Jews in the Gospels has been approached by New Testament theologians in many ways. However, in the context of increased racial sensitivity and the constant awareness of anti-Semitism, this passage leaves the reader feeling at least uncomfortable. On the other hand, the inclination for those in power in any regime or institution not to have their less than just activities exposed is strong. Church history is charged with such stories of duplicity, intrigue, fear and evasion. The story also serves the purpose of underlying the significance of the fact of the empty tomb. That fact from then on, indeed, would be a constant challenge to all posturing of power, particularly religious and ecclesiastical ones.
THAT YOUR RAISING MAY INSTIL COURAGE IN ME TO BE SET FREE AND BE MADE WHOLE.
Even with yourself, it may be difficult to admit that you have been involved in the undermining of someone in your lives – someone of whom you may have felt jealous. For must of us, however, there is that blushing remembrance of our collusion in someone else’s hurt or belittlement. Even if you have been spared such an experience, you can certainly imagine it. Imagine a scene of hiding and fear in which you have sought to deny someone else’s humanity in any way. Now imagine yourself wanting to find a way of denying Christ’s rising.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
Matthew 27.11-15
There is a strong temptation just to let this passage be! The last phrase is: ‘…the story among the Jews’. Reference to the Jews in the Gospels has been approached by New Testament theologians in many ways. However, in the context of increased racial sensitivity and the constant awareness of anti-Semitism, this passage leaves the reader feeling at least uncomfortable. On the other hand, the inclination for those in power in any regime or institution not to have their less than just activities exposed is strong. Church history is charged with such stories of duplicity, intrigue, fear and evasion. The story also serves the purpose of underlying the significance of the fact of the empty tomb. That fact from then on, indeed, would be a constant challenge to all posturing of power, particularly religious and ecclesiastical ones.
THAT YOUR RAISING MAY INSTIL COURAGE IN ME TO BE SET FREE AND BE MADE WHOLE.
Even with yourself, it may be difficult to admit that you have been involved in the undermining of someone in your lives – someone of whom you may have felt jealous. For must of us, however, there is that blushing remembrance of our collusion in someone else’s hurt or belittlement. Even if you have been spared such an experience, you can certainly imagine it. Imagine a scene of hiding and fear in which you have sought to deny someone else’s humanity in any way. Now imagine yourself wanting to find a way of denying Christ’s rising.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
Labels: Duplicity
posted by Martin at 9:10 pm
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