+Z’ev

Today’s assigned readings,
Genesis 41:46-57, 1 Corinthians 4:8-21, Mark 3:7-19a

I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 4:14-16

Don’t you think it’s interesting that Paul says “Imitate me…” instead of “Imitate Jesus…”? Or even, “Look I’m trying to imitate Jesus, so you can follow me in trying to do so as well…”

One of the more-common accusation levelled against Christianity is usually along these lines: “Jesus was pretty cool, but Paul messed the whole thing up.” And there places where Paul says rather Christ-like things, to be certain. But this isn’t one of them.

In fact, reading this passage, I understand some things and so feel inclined to remind readers of a story.

When I joined the Orthodox parish in North Carolina, there was a Priest, a Deacon, a Sub-deacon and a Reader. We had the “full compliment” of the lower orders, as present in Orthodoxy. All of these other clergy were married, and their wives and children were also members of the parish. But by the time the parish closed all of them had left. Only one of them is involved in any church at all. The rest are not religious. Of the families that were left in the parish when it closed… none of them go to any church at all save me (and we know from the comments here, that I make a bad Christian at that)!

The reason is, I’m certain, because of a fetish that many - but not all - American converts to Orthodoxy have around this concept of a “Spiritual Father” which Paul is introducing right here.

And what has suddenly become clear to me, I think, is why it breaks down. Paul says, “What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” And there is no way that can not be read but as a threat - a most un-Jesus like threat of “punishment” and anger and judgement. I say that - no matter what you might read in the same sentence - because of my experience at that parish: I’m thinking of spending 45 mins in confession because I voted the wrong way on the parish council and the guilt trip that was inflicted on me (I was crying by the end of the session)… and ultimately because *that’s* the only way some of these other people ever experience God at all.

I think it’s interesting that 100 years after this epistle is written St Clement, the Pope, is writing the Corinthians again, about the same problems. Why? Could it have something to do with Paul making threats and acting like an angry school marm or like that Nun who used to whip you in Catholic School?

There’s a good, solid, theological reason Paul doesn’t say, “Imitate Jesus…” Or even, “Look I’m trying to imitate Jesus, so you can follow me in trying to do so as well…” There a reason he says, instead, “Imitate me.”

Because Jesus isn’t there.

The only Jesus these Gentiles (and some Jews) in Corinth will ever see is Paul. The only gospel your friends may ever read is *you*. And someone who is waiving a stick around - or threatening to - doesn’t look very much like the man who said, “he who is without sin, cast the first stone”. Suddenly I understand why the Corinthians were still having their problems 100 years later, and suddenly I understand why all the clergy left - not only Orthodoxy, but any church at all. And when the only active and present Jesus someone sees turns into a royal putz… they loose all faith in God.

How do we act?

How do we embody the Gospel?

Jesus summed up the Torah as, “Love God, Love your neighbour as you love yourslef.” The ancient Rabbis said the Torah was summed up as “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour.”

Would you want someone threatening to come after you with a stick?

God is not there - save in your hands, your voice, your heart. Jesus is not present save in your body. How will God act in this situation - whatever situation you have in your life? Someone else’s life may depend on your choice.

Much love,

Huw