This week in worship, we begin our journey through ordinary time. This long season of the Church's worship life marks the great span between early summer and early winter. Following ordinary time, we begin Advent, and then continue with Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday.
In past years during ordinary time, we have followed long stories from the Hebrew scripture. You may remember we have in previous years spent many weeks with the stories of David, Samuel, the Exodus, and other figures as well. Those readings derive from what is called the semi-continuous track. This year, we are altering that pattern and drawing upon a Gospel lesson that is intended to align with the Hebrew scripture in some manner.
This Sunday, our first lesson is from the third chapter of Genesis. It is the story from which and towards which all the other stories emerge and are directed. The story may be called by many names but once we hear a part it is quickly recognized as a story of two people, their creator, a snake, a tree and a fruit.
The fruit is unnamed in the story but for many reasons is often called an apple. Indeed, the anthem for our summer choir draws directly upon this though in a slightly different way as they sing
The Apple Tree, in which Jesus Christ is described as an apple tree.
That's a bit strange upon first hearing. If you want to learn more, by all means visit the website
h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition. I won't repost the history and language and theological shifts behind this simple line from a song most often found as a carol in the Christmas season. However, I will vouch that if you choose to read more, your effort will be rewarded.
Our second story involves no trees. In the third chapter of the Gospel of Mark, is the first confrontation between Jesus and his family. In preparation for worship, I suggest you begin with Mark 1.1 and then read on to the end of chapter 3 in order to appreciate the conflict.
The family conflict is intense. As is so often the case because so much love, expectation, desire, anxiety, hope and dread are in play all at once. Prior to the shocking conclusion, we encounter a stark claim,
"whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an eternal sin."
Mark 3.29
Never. Wow. Isn't everything forgiveable?
The conflict draws to a close with a question:
"Who are my mother and my brothers?"
Mark 3.33
And an answer:
"Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the
will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
Mark 3.34-35
Does this sound like the loving, merciful, forgiving soul we expect in Jesus? What is at stake? What is the cost and consequence of such a kind of thinking? Do these questions matter to us, in our lives, and should they?
