Wednesday, 30 September 2015

The priest is to take some cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer. – Numbers 19:6


Today’s Scripture Reading (September 30, 2015): Numbers 19

Pope Francis, during his historic visit to the United States, characterized himself in several ways. He mentioned that he was a “son of this continent” (the Pope is from Argentina), and in doing so identified himself as one of us. He also called himself “the son of an immigrant” (the Pope’s father emigrated from Italy in 1929 to escape the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini), and with these words he identified with the immigrant population in the United States and weighed in on the Immigration debate that currently rages in the nation. He spoke about our responsibilities to the least of these and proposed the abolishment of Capital Punishment. His words seemed to come off as the “Pope of the People” – the one who had left the ivory tower behind and was deeply concerned for the same issues as “the least” of our continent.

The only thing missing was an insistence that he was the greatest of all sinners. And I don’t mean this in a disparaging way or as a prelude to the release of some savory piece of gossip about the Pope. I love that he was a nightclub bouncer before his time at Seminary, somehow it makes him a little more human. But the admission of sin seems to be something that is sadly missing among our religious – and our political - leaders. Donald Trump insists that he has never done anything wrong which required him to seek for forgiveness from God - a statement which simply reveals a lack of biblical understanding. I do not want – or need – the salacious details. My fear is that we have forgotten what it is like to be far from God – and if we don’t remember, how can we expect to minister to a nation that is questioning whether God even exists.

As Moses lists these things that are to be burned with the Red Heifer in this rite of cleansing, scholars have noticed some parallels. One of them is that all of these things are used in the cleansing of a leper. In Moses day, Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) was not just a physical health issue. Even though it was untrue, most recognized leprosy as a reflection of the interior spiritual health of the person. In other words, leprosy was a sign of the sin in your life – and if you suffered from leprosy, the sin must have been great. So as David screams out to God in Psalm 51 “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean …” (Psalm 51:7), what he is actually doing is identifying himself with the leper. It is as if he is saying “Look at me – I am the worst sinner you could possibly find.” The statement is echoed by St. Paul in his letter to a young pastor named Timothy - “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15). At a time when Christian failings are public, the message that needs to go out is that we are just like anyone else – we fail miserably. We are not proud of that fact, but we understand the sin that the world struggles with, because we are working to overcome it just like everyone else. And if God can forgive us (as Christians) and me (as a Christian Leader) – there is hope and forgiveness available for all of us.

Astute readers of this passage have noticed something else. Each of these three items connect with the crucifixion of Jesus. Cedar wood is a reminder of the cross itself. Some believe that the cross was made of cedar, but we can all agree that it was at least made of wood. A hyssop branch was used to lift a drink up to Jesus lips in the midst of his suffering. And the scarlet wool was a reminder of his blood. Or maybe it is the other way around. All of these things were elements of the rite of purification and of the cleansing of a leper. And on the cross, Jesus identified with the leper, and purified the world forever.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 20

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