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From the Vicar...
Have we over-analyzed the Gospel?
I have, as I've aged (and, I hope, matured), become a bit of a biblical literalist - I'm sure much to the horror of my seminary professors. That is not to say that I think there are no contextual considerations (for example, Paul's admonishments about women in church) or hyperbole to make a point (perhaps best exemplified in the passage about cutting off a hand that causes you to sin) - but the fact is, I'm not sure we do ourselves any favors when we "over-analyze" a passage of scripture.
This Sunday, we will hear the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is a shocking story, but perhaps more shocking than the story itself is some of what we historically have done with it. Truth be told, we've analyzed the poor parable to death.
The early church Fathers didn't get us off on a very good foot in this regard. In fact, some could even be described as "over the top" in their tendency to turn every aspect of the story into some form of allegory. Origen, for example, said that the man who was going down to Jericho is Adam. Jerusalem is paradise, and Jericho is the world. The robbers are hostile powers. The priest is the Law, the Levite is the prophets, and the Samaritan is Christ. The wounds are disobedience, the beast is the Lord's body, the inn, which accepts all who wish to enter, is the Church. The manager of the inn is the head of the Church, to whom its care has been entrusted. And the fact that the Samaritan promises he will return represents Christ's second coming.
We may take a different approach in the 21st century, but the "sin of over-interpretation" goes on to this day. Books by such authors as Marcus Borg and John Shelby Spong make fascinating reading, but I believe some of the analyses that have emerged out of the "historical Jesus" movement are ultimately wrong-headed, if well-meaning. In their attempt to strip away the layers of such later commentators as the above-referenced Origen, I find they often "read back" into the Gospel accounts what they'd like Jesus to have said and done (based on our modern-day sensibilities), rather than find the power in his acts and words the early Church found.
Indeed, it is in response to such writings that I find my "neo-literalism" kicking in. Think back to the "Good Samaritan" story. There's an assault victim in a ditch. Two religious men, probably repulsed by his appearance, avoid him - perhaps for justifiable reasons. A Samaritan, a foreigner despised by the religious men, and probably just as grossed out, is the one who stops to help. When Jesus asks the lawyer who was a "neighbor" to the man, there can be no other answer than "the one who showed mercy."
Mercy, which we might also call kindness, is the true mark of a neighbor - which makes kindness the true mark of a Christian. The parable is that simple, but it is not simplistic. This parable is so powerful for us today because kindness is pretty much absent from the life of our world. Of course we can point to greed and competition as places where kindness is lacking, but kindness is also often MIA in ethically-grounded endeavors that end up more about being right than being righteous.
The familiar folk hymn says, "They'll know we are Christians by our love." Rather than over-analyze what Jesus was saying and doing, why not be content to say the moral the story is that they also need to know us by our kindness? Simple, to be sure, but it works for me.
In Christ,
Fr. Chip
Now it's Trinity's turn to host!
It's Trinity's turn to host a joint cookout for our two congregations. On Sunday, July 14, Trinity Church will host a joint outdoor Eucharist and cookout for members of both churches to give us an opportunity to worship and enjoy fellowship together. The service will be at 12:30 p.m. in the shaded side yard of the church. The cookout will follow on the lawn. Bring your lawn chair and a side dish or dessert to share. Hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP indicating how many from your household are coming to admin@trinityhampton.org. This will help our food and set-up crews in their planning. If it rains (perish the thought), we'll have both the service and food inside Hobbs Hall.
We will celebrate BreAnna Freeman and her service to Trinity at this picnic! Join us as we wish her a fond farewell as she heads off to St. Joseph's College in the fall!
For those of you who cannot (or prefer not) to come to the outdoor service, there will be a quiet celebration of the Holy Eucharist that morning at the usual service times - Trinity tat 8:45 a.m. and Christ Church at 10:30 a.m.
Seacoast Convocation summer happenings
Everyone is invited to join in these events occurring around our Convocation in the coming weeks:
- July 14th, 12:30 pm: Trinity Church, Hampton: Eucharist and Cookout
- August 4th: Christ Church, Exeter: Fisher Cats baseball game, their choir will be singing the National Anthem! Call Christ Church for details.
- August 25th, 9:30 am: St. John's, Portsmouth: Service and Picnic at Great Island Commons, New Castle
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September 7th: St. George's, Durham: Coordinated Churches Yard Sale
The Seacoast Convocation will be advertising more activities for all Episcopalians of our region to join in on the fun. Look for ongoing updates.
Trinity Church's new website is now "up and running"
Trinity Church's new, vibrant, better-organized website is now "up and running." Check it out at www.trinityhampton.org. Meanwhile, please continue to be patient as we work out the "kinks" in the other half of our migration to a new web provider: Trinity's e-mail has been "hit-or-miss" this week as we get things configured in our new account. To be on the safe side, you might want to copy any messages to Nita to Fr. Chip's e-mail address, vicarchip@gmail.com until further notice.
Are you going on vacation?
Are you going on vacation this summer? Your church family hopes you have a great time - but, before you go, just a reminder: the Church doesn't go on vacation! Our services continue throughout the summer months - and our bills still need to be paid. So please, take the time to keep your pledge up-to-date while you are away. Perhaps it is easiest to write a check before you leave, so you don't have to worry about it when you return.
Photography dates set for pictorial directory
As announced in this space last month, the Bishop's Committee endorsed our going forward with a locally-produced, non-commercial pictorial directory this fall.
Our new directory will only be valuable if it is complete. Accordingly, our goal is 100% participation. By taking part in our upcoming photography Sundays, you can help us all place names with faces, and create an excellent reference and information source for our church communities.
We'll be publishing further detail in weeks to come, but for now, mark your calendar with our photography dates:
Christ Church: Sundays, July 28 and Aug. 11 after church; make-up date,
Sept. 15
Trinity Church: Sundays, July 21 and Aug. 4 after church; make-up date,
Sept. 22
Members of either church may be photographed in either location.
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