Voices around Easter 3 - Palm Sunday

Voices around Easter 3.

A radio reporter describes the events for us as Jesus approaches Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

This is the Judea news channel. We’re now coming up to the Passover. Jerusalem is always unsettled and unstable at this time. Just one small event can spark a major public order incident. There’s news of very recent developments there today so we’re now going over to our reporter in Jerusalem. Josephus, can you tell us what’s going on?

 Well, Hugh, I can only just see what is going on. I couldn’t find space at the gateway or in the streets so I’ve just about got a view from this window in the tower. At least I can see some way along the road into the distance. There’s great excitement all over Jerusalem. Some people are very happy, jubilant even. Look at them! But then look around the edges of the crowd. There are armed temple guards and not far away in reserve there are Roman soldiers. The High Priest and the Procurator are taking no chances. Jerusalem is an excitable place at the best of times but now at Passover there are so many more people here. The least disturbance could lead to a riot.

I’ve asked people just exactly what the excitement is all about. They tell me it’s all about Jesus. He’s not from around here. He’s a Galilean, said to be son of a carpenter, but he’s famous, or notorious as some of the leaders would say, as a powerful preacher and healer. His preaching gets to the core of the matter, making it clear what scripture is really saying. He’s happy to be with all kinds of people - tax-collectors, women, poor and sick people and Pharisees too. He’s become a great celebrity and everyone wants to see him. However, I’ve heard that the authorities are very wary of him because he seems to be undermining their status. I would say he’s too popular for them to arrest right now, but, as we see with the soldiers and the police, they are keeping an eye on things. There’ll be spies in the crowd too. Some people are saying that Jesus may be the Messiah, the anointed one of God who the scriptures point to and who will free the Jewish people from their Roman captivity. That’s not at all clear, because he has not made the claim himself, but it’s a good reason for the extra security.

And now they are all straining to see. I can see dust on the road and a small group of people coming towards the walls. They are just near the point where the road goes down the Mount of Olives. There are cloaks spread on the road. One of them is riding on a donkey and I think it may be Jesus. That’s significant, my advisers tell me, because the scriptures say this is exactly the way the Messiah will enter Jerusalem, through this gate, riding a donkey. Some of the people are waving palm branches. Listen to them now …! I can just about make out what they are saying ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’. That’s how the Jewish people do things. They are quoting a Psalm, one of their sacred songs. They refer everything they do and everything that happens to scripture, so when something happens that is exactly as scripture says, as this seems to be, well, that’s really significant. It implies the direct action and presence of God.

So Jesus is now well into the narrow streets of Jerusalem and the crowd is slowly dispersing, so I can get out of this narrow corner of the tower. I’ll try to mingle with the crowd to see what they think is going on. Maybe I’ll get a word with one of Jesus’ followers, or even hear Jesus himself. The word is going round that he will be teaching in the temple this week. That could be interesting. Great potential for a dispute that might turn nasty. Just a moment, I think I hear shouting coming from the temple area. It sounds different from the jubilation we’ve just heard. Some kind of disorder. I’m heading over there now. I’ll keep you in touch …

So, we seem to have lost contact with Josephus in Jerusalem for the moment. We’ll get back as soon as we can. In other news reports are coming in of troops of Roman soldiers leaving Caesarea for Jerusalem. Procurator Pilate is expected to arrive later today. It seems that nothing is being left to chance.

Voices around Easter 2. 

Judas considers his position.

This monologue takes place around the events of John 12.1-8, read on the 5th Sunday of Lent (Passion Sunday)




 

He likes going to dinner with people. He doesn’t mind at all who it is. Today it’s with friends, which is nice and relaxed, but more often than not he’ll accept an invitation to eat with tax collectors, or go to a well-educated Pharisee’s house and have a deep theological discussion. That’s always entertaining to listen to. The Pharisees and lawyers think they have everything worked out but each time he catches them out by going beyond their codes of practice. They try to define everything in advance, but he just gets to the very centre of what it’s all about. It seems so simple and compelling, but when you try to follow his example it can be very challenging. Nothing turns out the way you would expect. ..

Actually that’s part of the problem at the moment. I’m a pretty practical person. I want to get things done and I want to do them right. And there’s no doubt that Jesus does get things done in his healing and preaching. But I’m sure there’s more than that behind it all …

But what’s that going on now? There’s Mary. It’s her house, with her sister Martha, and we’re using it as our base at the moment. She’s kneeling at Jesus’ feet and .. no! .. she’s pouring a large bottle of perfume over his feet. And now she’s wiping his feet with her hair. That’s quite out of order! Far too familiar and personal! The scent is getting overpowering. It’s almost making me sick. This is not what we are supposed to be doing. We should be helping the poor and not wasting money on gestures like this. I can’t keep quiet about this … Stop! What’s all this waste? …

Later that evening.

I’m sick of the whole thing. I thought it was quite in order and acceptable to complain about the waste of the valuable perfume and that the others would agree with me. They just kept quiet. Why don’t they take some action for a change? Jesus told me quite calmly to leave Mary alone. She’d bought the perfume to keep for the day of his burial. There are always poor people around, but he will not always be here, whatever that means. I found the whole episode offensive. I don’t know what Jesus is going on about. I mean I like him. I think he’s a friend. We get on well together. But then he does go and do these impossible inexplicable things. 

Let’s get to the point. There’s discussion behind the scenes that Jesus might be the Messiah. A lot of what he does fits exactly what scripture tells us the Messiah will do. And we are under the control of the Romans. Just as has happened many times in the past we need a strong religious leader who will take up a sword against the occupiers. He should be the one. It all makes sense. But ..

But not everything makes sense. He’s too kind and forgiving for a military leader. There’s no doubt that he has authority. The lawyers won’t debate with him any more. They always lose the argument and lose face in public as a result. That’s all very well. I’m glad to see the pompous and proud put in their place. But it’s not as easy as that. Arguments certainly won’t work with the Romans. They are ruthless. They’ll crucify anyone caught in rebellion and destroy towns and villages, selling the people into slavery. The only thing that will work is power. We Jews have got enough armed people here in Jerusalem. We just need an incisive leader and organiser and then we’ll show Pilate who we are.

 
Jesus could do it. He could. How can I make him see that? He won’t react to any hints that armed rebellion should be the next step. Doesn’t seem to be his way. But here’s an idea. It’s dangerous. I don’t like it but it may be the only way. Jesus does not seem to plan his schedule very far ahead. He reacts to events. So what if we put him in a corner where he has to react? Now how could that be done? What if I talk to my friend in the High Priest’s house? The priests are angry with Jesus because he is challenging their authority and power. They want him out of the way. It will be safer like that during the Passover. Less chance of a riot and over-reaction by Pilate. They daren’t arrest Jesus in the daytime. .. So what about at night? They’ll need someone who knows him to point him out. I could do that. Then he would have to call upon God to intervene, and the rebellion would start. Yes.. it might work. I’ll see if I can get away and have a word with the High Priest before Passover. When I go shopping might be a good time. The Palace is right next to Tescos.

Free Time

Free Time

I don't often try my hand at poetry but some time ago I wrote this as a short summary of how the weekend works out for many people today. As one person put it to me 'church doesn't really fit into today's lifestyle'. Or as another said 'I don't need it'.



                         What shall we do today? The weather’s fine,

To Tesco, clean the car or cut the grass?

The day is free, we’re masters of our time.

Let’s fill it full of fun and let it pass.

There’s sport, there’s food, there’s outings, there’s TV

So much to do that we are never free.

Such folk forget, or did they ever know

That joy and peace take space if they’re to grow?

They have no time to join the faithful few,

Who meet each week to pay the Lord his due.

Sunday by Sunday as the weeks go past

The day gets filled with work and not with rest.

So empty is the content of a creed

To busy folk who say ‘I have no need’.

Voices around Easter 1 - Caesar and Pilate

Voices around Easter

From Passiontide through Holy Week and on to Easter Day this year I presented a series of monologues in which I imagined the thoughts of various people who were part of the story. Some were central characters and some, like this first post, still had their part to play. These are not historically accurate - they contain the occasional deliberate anachronism, but they do bring essential points from the historical situation to the fore.

 

 

 

Voices around Easter 1. Tiberius Caesar and Pontius Pilate

This one-sided conversation takes place in what these days would be called an office or study and not in a grand imperial audience chamber. Tiberius hardly looks at Pilate during the whole conversation and Pilate is too frightened to say anything. So a secretary, probably a Greek slave, shows Pilate in ...

  Now listen to me, Pilate, you’re going to Judea to be the Procurator. I wonder if you know what a difficult situation you are going in to? I’ve had a briefing from MI V and I want to tell you myself. We know from long experience that Judea is extremely sensitive and volatile. Your job is to keep things quiet. Keep a lid on it all. Don’t allow any disturbances. Make sure the taxes are paid and get sent back here to Rome. You’ve got plenty of experienced military resources and a good network of local tax farmers, so that should not be too difficult – yes?

Wrong! It will be very tricky. Firstly you have the regular outbreaks of terrorism. We Romans are quite good at dealing with that. You know what to do. Find the suspects and crucify them. Destroy what towns and villages you need to and send the population back here as slaves. Everyone in the Empire knows that Rome will not tolerate insurrection. If people live in peace and do what they are told, we will be their friends, but if not …

But then, and much more difficult, you have the Jewish authorities. They have been given many religious privileges. It keeps them and the population quiet, so don’t do anything to disrupt that. Be pragmatic, as Rome always is. Allow them to have their religious feasts and as far as you can let them administer their law. Remember they are not allowed to put anyone to death. Be especially careful at the festival they call Passover. You’ll need to be in Jerusalem then because of the number of pilgrims and the real danger of riot. I know it’s much less comfortable than on the coast at Caesarea, but there it is, you have a job to do. So play it all carefully and keep them sweet. Occasionally release the odd prisoner as a gesture. But do be careful. The leaders are expert politicians and they can very easily trap you in a corner with no easy way out.

That’s it. Keep it under control. Some groups of Jews are so violently against the benefits of Roman rule that they could revolt at any time. I would not be surprised if we end up having to destroy Jerusalem in the not too distant future, just as we did Carthage in the old Republic. Have a good journey? …. There he goes. I wonder if he’s up to it?

The Society of Ordained Scientists Anniversary Collection

The Society of Ordained Scientists

is now 25 years old. We are preparing a book of short articles by members which will probably be published electronically. Here is my contribution:

For it is he who gave me unerring knowledge of what exists,

to know the structure of the world and the activity of the elements;

the beginning and end and middle of times,

the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons,

the cycles of the year and the constellations of the stars,

the natures of animals and the tempers of wild animals,

the powers of spirits and the thoughts of human beings,

the varieties of plants and the virtues of roots;

I learned both what is secret and what is manifest,

for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me.

For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;

because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.

For she is a breath of the power of God,

and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;

therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.

For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.

Wisdom 7.17-22,24-26

But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.

1 Corinthians 2.7-12

There was surprise verging on incredulity when I visited the school group appearing to be a clergyman, but speaking as an experienced scientist. How, they wondered, could these things be possible in the same person? What could it be like to be in that apparently contradictory position? These two readings would have given them some answer. I’m delighted to read that the author of Wisdom seems to understand the excitement of discovery and understanding, and probably would appreciate the satisfaction of an experiment well planned and data interpreted. There is a link in this useful knowledge to the divine.

Yet here, as in many other places, Paul reminds us that our understanding has its limits, and he affirms with Wisdom where it all comes from and what it depends on. It is exciting to come upon new ways in which our world can be described and to devise uses of this knowledge to good purposes, such as I had done in pharmaceuticals. But it is important not to be carried away. Although there may always be questions for us to answer, science does have its limits and we have to give due weight to Paul’s cautionary comments. So we are caught between two extremes. It is as if we are bouncing to and fro between two poles of knowing and unknowing, to echo a later spiritual writer. As these oscillations in the life of a minister and scientist continue, I hope that the collisions are reasonably elastic and that I actually grow in a broader kind of understanding, perhaps being able to recognize more clearly where I fit. Somewhere knowing and unknowing do come together and that convergence is our destination.

The Society of Ordained Scientists

The Society of Ordained Scientists

The Society: History and Vision

The Society was founded as a dispersed religious order of those who are ordained and also have significant experience of science. The late Revd Canon Dr Arthur Peacocke was the prime mover and became its first Warden. The founders wanted to express a commitment to the academic dialogue between faith and science within a spiritual framework. Thus in 1987 twenty-four people committed themselves to pursue the Aims and to follow the Rule of the Society.

Although Anglican in origin, the Society now has members from other Christian traditions in the United Kingdom, North America and elsewhere. The members provide mutual support through prayer, the Annual Gathering, and local meetings. The sharing of experience in their very varied vocations encourages and develops their ministries. The Society is overseen by the Warden assisted by a small committee chosen by the members. The members promote the Aims in many ways, including preaching, lecturing and teaching, in churches, schools or colleges. They can offer their particular experience as a resource to the churches and society on the ethical, social and theological implications of science and technology. Their witness is to a faith that is able to be lived out with integrity in an increasingly secular society.

The Aims of the Society

To offer to God in our ordained role the work of science and technology in the exploration and stewardship of creation.

To express both the commitment of the church to the scientific and technological enterprise and our concern for its impact on the world.

To develop a fellowship of prayer for ordained scientists by the following of a common rule.

To support each other in our vocation.

To serve the Church in its relation to  science and technology.

The Rule:

To pray daily for the aims of the Society and for its members and associate members.

To remember, when appropriate, the Society and its members at public worship.

To endeavour to attend the Annual Gathering and Retreat of the Society.

Further information

Please contact the Warden or Secretary:

Warden:

Revd Dr Keith Suckling

            291 Knightsfield

            Welwyn Garden City

            Herts AL8 7NH.

            keith.suckling@cantab.net

Secretary:

Revd Colin Brockie

          36 Braehead Court

            Kilmarnock

            Ayrshire,  KA3 7AB

            revcol@revcol.demon.co.uk

Secretary for Associates:

Revd Robert Nelson

            5 Sedbergh Road

            Wallasey

            Wirral, CH44 2BR

            rtnelson@googlemail.com

North American Province

Warden:

Revd Dr Barbara Smith-Moran

            93 Anson Rd.,

                Concord, MA 01742, USA

            978-369-1464

            smithmoran@earthlink.net

Society website:

            http://www.ordainedscientists.org/