William Lord Margraf, Seminarian | July 14, 2024
Text: Mark 6:14-29
May the words of my lips be yours, Loving Creator,
in the service of these my brothers and sisters and siblings,
through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
So often throughout the Scriptures, parties and dinners are not primarily occasions of celebrations.
We have the wedding at Cana
— where a wedding celebration is imperiled by the wine running out and a mother descending upon her child to save the family from shame;
we have the celebration of the Prodigal Son’s return
— with the reconciliation of the prodigal son and the resentment of the loyal son;
and we have the Last Supper
— where Jesus is imparting his last blessing and instructions to his friends just moments before he is about to be betrayed, tried, and executed.
Biblical get-togethers are fraught with intense emotional distress, culminations of grudges and fears, and even some deadly score settling. And, lucky us?, today’s Gospel offers all three scenarios: shame, resentment, and execution.
Today we hear about the frenzy of a party which ends with tragedy.
King Herod loses all inhibitions at his birthday party
— and recklessly, and yet perhaps unintentionally, turns up the heat on the simmering shame he and his wife hold for the foundation of their relationship.
The setting of the party descends into a chaotic free-for-all. It reveals the darkness of vulnerability and shame of Herod and his wife Herodias have for how they became a couple.
On one hand, Herod rashly offers half of his kingdom to a young woman who is both his niece and step-daughter. And on the other, Herodias, in an unguarded moment, seizes the offer by her husband, who is also her ex-brother-in-law, as the perfect way to permanently extinguish their shame.
I wonder if Herod and Herodias in the aftermath of the beheading of John the Baptist asked themselves:
How did we get here?
How did we let things get so out of control?
How did things spiral so violently?
This spiral of violence
— whether it is systemic racism
which risks the wellbeing of souls
who willfully and unwittingly choose to be blinded to the suffering of others or whether it is that momentary delight when one’s enemy gets their just desserts
— this spiral of violence — ANY spiral of violence is the result of forgetting our empathy and our humility — empathy and humility which are the greatest sources of healing and connection in becoming what God so passionately hopes for us.
I wonder if Herod and Herodias had only been more thoughtful, intentional, mindful;
if they had been less under pressure to preserve their secrets, their status, and their wealth;
if they had not been distracted by their worldliness, their shame, and their addiction to approval,
I wonder if they had pursued the conversations Herod so wanted to have with John the Baptist, would have they gotten so lost in the frenzy of the moment?
I imagine that in one way or another we have been where Herod and Herodias have been.
Things get out of control, things are said, and actions taken which we later regret, things we think at first that we can “control,” tamp down, or stamp out.
When we take matters into our hands, they never really ever work out, do they?
You can probably guess that I will recommend that in those moments how it is the perfect opportunity to connect with God. And, yes, you would be right.
But, first, this weekend we are kicking off our summer sermon series, “Bread from Heaven,” where each of the preachers will relate a favorite recipe which connects with the scripture of the day.
Thus, I need to share with you my “recipe” for making tea.
It seems abjectly absurd because don’t you just throw a tea bag into a mug and pour some hot water over it? Well, yes, … and no.
The genius of tea is that it is not only a beverage, but it is a moment. It is a moment where you give yourself permission to sit back, give yourself some tender care, and perhaps invite a friend in to share it with you.
That friend may even be God.
I would like to imagine that God loves tea because God knows it is over tea that you and God can be vulnerable and tender with one another and talk about what is on your heart without hesitation, judgment, or shame. Over tea, you can be your true self and can be affirmed in that truth by God who is the Source of All Love.
I have been having tea with God for more than thirty years. Every morning over a pot of tea, I commune with God, reflecting on Scripture and my life, emptying my heart to God while God fortifies my soul. I am forever evolving in these moments. I am forever grateful for this time with God. Ask me for details!
Had only Herod and Herodias taken tea with John the Baptist, instead of taking the calamitous risk of recklessness and revenge.
Had they only taken the time to be vulnerable in the safety of God’s embrace.
Had they only taken the trouble out of their hearts — and given it to God.
Had they done that, they might have had the peace and loving kindness only God can offer.
May we take the time to sit with our God, the God of John the Baptist, and even the God of Herod and Herodias to ponder and promise new ways of becoming instruments of God’s peace in the world.
Amen.