Faithful Conversations #84

Introduction to Readers:

None of us succeed in life “on our own,” and I am wary of those who posit that notion. We have all been lifted by many along our path. As a historian and teacher, mentors of famous individuals have long intrigued me (think Socrates and Plato, Plato and Aristotle, Aristotle and Alexander the Great, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, Mademoiselle Souvestre and Eleanor Roosevelt, to name a few).  

Mentors have been on my mind this week prompted, in part, by reading portions of Deep is the Hunger by theologian Howard Thurman, a man whose articulation of the philosophy of non-violent opposition to unjust laws, coupled with the pursuit of inner transformation, dramatically impacted Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1950s. (Thurman had been a classmate of MLK’s father at Morehouse College in the 1920s and in the 1930s, as a young clergyman, traveled to India, notably spending a good deal of time with Gandhi!).

I encourage you to think about the spiritual mentors in your life as you work through this week’s lectionary readings, especially the Hebrews passage. Who guided you in your faith formation, and how did they do that? Who have you mentored in the faith, if you have been blessed with that opportunity? These are good questions for us to consider.

Between now and the end of November, as we reach the final phase of the readings for Year B of the three-year lectionary cycle, we will interact with the book of Hebrews seven times. Count this week’s blog as my opening volley in that regard — exploring a book that has never captured my attention much. I have much to learn, and I hope you will explore with me! As always, thanks for visiting this space again this week and your continued interest in exploring the scriptures on a deeper level. You are an inspiration in that regard!

The Readings for Pentecost 20
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 8
Hebrews 1: 1-4, 2: 5-12
Mark 10: 2-16

Common Themes in the Pentecost 20 Readings!
Look for the following themes in this week’s readings: creation, human relationships, and the significance of Christ. Genesis 2:18-24 highlights the creation of human partnership, emphasizing the importance of companionship. Psalm 8 praises the dignity and responsibility of humanity in creation, marveling at God’s care for humankind. Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 and Mark 10:2-16 both focus on Christ’s authority, His solidarity with humanity, and the call to live in right relationships, particularly in marriage and family.

Focus Reading: Hebrews 1: 1-4, 2: 5-12
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. ³ He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

⁵ Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. ⁶ But someone has testified somewhere,

Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, ⁹ but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

¹⁰ It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, ¹² saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation, I will praise you.”

Reflections:

As mentioned, Hebrews receives a good deal of attention in the Lectionary for the next two months. Let me offer a few markers for you prior to reading it. First, the authorship of the book has always been disputed (sidebar: Luther was not enthusiastic about Hebrews, and I hope to understand that better in the weeks ahead!). Second, it was written around 70 C.E. for a community of second-generation Greek speaking Christians, many of whom had Jewish background. Third, the recipients of the letter (which is really a sermon) apparently enthusiastically embraced the story of Christ initially but drifted into a malaise over time (note chapter 10).  The sermon was meant to draw them back — to remind them of their heritage and the promise of salvation. In this regard, Hebrews is remarkably relevant for us in 2024!

And here are a couple things to keep in mind when reading the specific verses for this week. I encourage you to compare 1: 1-4 with the opening of John’s Gospel (1: 1-18) or Philippians 2: 6-11 (known as the Christ Hymn). The opening lines also bring to mind the Nicene Creed, and especially these words:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end. 

In the second passage (2: 5-12) the writer connects the people to the Old Testament (Psalm 8 is quoted in Hebrews 2: 6-8a), reminding them that God created them for glory and honor (“for a little while lower than angels”). Remember, they were “drifting” (10: 32-39) and needed to hear these words — it feels a bit like a pep talk! Christ is then portrayed as a “pioneer” (2: 11) who charts our course and ultimate salvation.

We should often remind ourselves that the words we are reading in the scriptures were written for a certain time and place, but they clearly were also meant as a letter to the future. We are hearing directly from our spiritual mentors in these words!

Soli Deo Gloria!