From the Vicar...

A gory story with an important message embedded in it

Our Gospel reading this coming Sunday is a gory one. So gory, in fact, that at Christ Church, where we are celebrating a baptism, I have chosen to use the propers for Baptism instead of this week's lectionary texts. (Who wants to have their child baptized in the context of a Gospel story about a beheading?)

You see, this Sunday, we read of the beheading of John the Baptist. Now, when we think of beheadings, or, at least when I think of beheadings, my mind goes to grainy video clips of men holding assault rifles, with their faces covered, and somebody kneeling down in front of them. Not am image I want to hold in front of me when I'm reading scripture. But, for whatever reason, the story of John the Baptist being beheaded feels different. And I think one of the reasons it feels different, is that I identify this story as being about "my people." I take seriously the reality that my faith has been passed down to me, and so I read this story as part of my lineage. This is a story about how my faith came to me. And, it's a pretty interesting story. It's kind of a crazy story.

As is generally true of crazy, interesting stories, it's the characters that drive the story. And the character that I find most intriguing is not John the Baptist, nor King Herod, but rather his brother's wife, Herodias. Because in this Sunday's story, Herodias wields an enormous amount of power and influence. It seems that you could make the case that Herodias is the very reason John the Baptist found himself in this predicament. Herod, we are told, has John arrested, bound, and imprisoned, on account of Herodias. Herodias, our reading says, wanted to have John the Baptist killed, because of what he was saying about the nature of her relationship with her new husband.

But the most interesting, and perhaps instructive thing that Mark tells us about Herodias, is what he mentions right before he tells us that Herodias wants John the Baptist killed. Mark tells us "she held a grudge."

I'd be willing to wager that most every one of us has held a grudge. Perhaps you held a grudge against the teacher who didn't give you the grade you think you earned. Or the boss who never acknowledges what you bring to the table. Or, perhaps, the co-worker who takes credit for the work you do, or the ideas you have.

We've all held grudges. And if I'm reminded of anything in this Gospel reading, it's this: Grudges can be powerful things. Grudges can be all-consuming affairs that choke out all other thoughts, and feelings, and emotions, and desires.

Mark doesn't say much about the grudge or resentment that Herodias holds for John the Baptist, but the fact that he mentions it at all suggests we should pay attention. Mark is one of the most intentional gospels, at least in the sense that Mark seems to exercise extreme care in what he chooses to include. So I am of the belief that when Mark mentions that Herodias held a grudge, he does so on purpose.

The Greek word for "grudge" (enekho) is an interesting one...it is only used two other times in the New Testament. The second occurrence is in Luke's Gospel, when it describes the reaction the Pharisees have to Jesus' preaching. And the final usage is in Paul's letter to the Galatians. He writes, "For freedom, Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." The same word that Mark uses to describe Herodias' grudge, is the word Paul uses to describe a "yoke of slavery." There's not a whole lot of good news in the Gospel reading from Mark this week, but we find some fabulous news in Paul. We have been set free.

We need not carry around any resentments. We need not fear voices that challenge us. We need not harbor any grudges. And we need not fear change. For in Christ we have been changed. In Christ, we have the assurance of never having to shoulder the burdens of fear and resentments on our own. In Christ we have been redeemed and forgiven and have been shown the way to be in relationship with others. In Christ we have been forgiven and charged with forgiving others. These are the keys to unlocking the shackles of resentment. "For freedom, Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to enekho - a yoke of slavery."

Fr. Chip

Joint picnic set for Saturday, Aug. 8

Liz Malone and Lynda Swartz have graciously offered their spacious backyard in Hampton Falls for a joint picnic for both our congregations on Saturday, August 8. They've hosted groups as large as 100, so they have plenty of space - and they have room for badminton, volleyball, whiffle ball and even have stakes for horseshoes. We'll publish more specifics as the date approaches, but for now, save the date! It will be good to share food and fellowship - and their home is conveniently located at 14 Kensington Rd. (Route 84) just off Route 1.

Fr. Chip's vacation plans

The first of two vacation periods for our Vicar starts this coming week. Fr. Chip will be away from July 13-24, and again Aug. 29-Sept. 7. The Rev. David Plank will cover the Sunday in July he will be away. Coverage plans for August are still in the works. During both periods, neighboring clergy will be covering emergencies, and our Shared Ministry office will be the contact point.