Mark 8:14-21
A study was released this week. It turns out one in four Americans (U.S) think that the sun revolves around the earth. I'm not sure that's a testament to stupidity or an indictment of our education system but the study results were in the news. It's amazing isn't it? How could anyone really think that in this day and age?
There are a great many things we are mistaken about in life. The question that is raised is what do we do when we are challenged? Do we stubbornly adhere to the old and untrue or do we embrace the best meaning of challenge which is to take a good look at something in a new light and learn from it.
Today two thoughts come to mind and both have to do with have ears and not hearing. One is related to the fact that we remember Martin Luther today. Did you know he was a Roman Catholic Priest? I think that's a little known fact. I also doubt that he is actual one responsible for the reformation although one could argue that he lit the fuse and then it took on a life of it's own. Martin Luther's intention was to challenge the church. There were real problems and legitimate complaints and he was raising them with his 95 theses nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. His intent was not to break away from the church but to challenge the church to look at itself and change. True to form, the church 'excommunicated' Luther and went on it own merry arrogant way.
Another thought that escapes countless Christians that hate Jews is that Jesus was Jewish. Not only a Jew but a good Jew. By Jesus' own admission he came to save the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus did not come to begin a new religion and when Jesus died, he died Jewish. How does Christ being Jewish escape so many people? It is astounding. If anything, Jesus was challenging the power elite of Judaism to return to the roots of the faith. Those roots are not laws, either the 10 commandments or the myriad other religious laws the Rabbi's had concocted. Jesus synthesized it down to two great commandments all about love but Jesus was, again, Jewish.
Martin Luther being a Roman Catholic Priest and Jesus being Jewish is something some people don't know and don't want to hear. Often people who challenge the powerful do not go down in history the way they should even if the facilitate change and move humanity and faith forward. To those that have ears though, the truth is not heresy but enlightenment.
You can take any paradigm you wish and there are those that challenge the status quo to make us more enlightened, to move us forward in one way or another.
After Stonewall and to today, the gay community stepped out f the darkness and claimed their God given heritage and their dignity. Today more than ever we, the gay community, challenge the notion that marriage was and always was a "one man, one woman" design. History, the bible and nature show us differently. For those that have ears this truth is enlightening and filled with the love of God. It still challenges the church in myriad ways as much as Martin Luther did. It seems the church once again has trouble listening. Actually, the message of the Spirit.
If you have ears and a brain, use them for what God intended and challenge yourself every day and in every way. Whether it is new ideas, time at spin class or a puzzle or unfamiliar and challenging truths. Challenge yourself.
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’
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