| This identity of emancipation and of resistance is one that is to carry on beyond what is often seen as a closed community. ....the provisions of Passover make clear that this is a theological-ideological act not contained in ethnic boundaries: "Any slave who has been purchased may eat of it after he has been circumcised....If an alien who resides with you wants to celebrate the passover to the Lord, all his males shall be circumcised; then he may draw near to celebrate it....there shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you. (Exodus 12:44-49)" The offer is inclusive. But it is not casual. One must be prepared to accept a costly mark to qualify for this community of emancipation and resistance. The door to this community is one that is open for all. But if you want to really be about this alternative life - take on this mark. Ouch! And yet, what an important piece of the story telling to take to heart. There is a sign - there is a commitment - there is then one way that will be the way for all. I would imagine that many men thought twice about becoming a part of this story of liberation. To step across the threshold of this story, was to step into a life - real life. Today, the church tries to make participation in the community of saints so easy that a person who comes along the way of the followers of Jesus really does not have to commit to anything at all. In many ways it is nothing more than a cultural adventure or a personal and individual journey. The story telling community of the Church does an interesting thing these days. We are willing to change everything in order to let folks come along the way. That is not all bad - but it does leave us open to letting go of the story and letting it become nothing more than a popular movement of convenience and self-pleasing exercises. I would like to argue that our simple action of marking with cross on the foreheads of the saints carries the weight of circumcision. If you want to walk with us and live with us and turn the world upside down, take this mark. Yes, you can blow it off because it is not visible and you can simply walk away because the mark is one on your heart - then again, it is a never-ending mark - a mark meant to shape - a mark meant to create new life - a mark that is available to all (even the fear-full), and a mark that makes a person a full brother and sister - no questions asked. The mark moves us and makes us a part of the people. We are inspired then - to make this a viable way to live and not just a casual and occasional acquaintance. Connection: We must be a people who are willing to mark our lives - daily. We do not do this to prove a point - but to give us the way of our next steps through this day. Lord of the Wilderness, we are so often being tempted to forget how you have marked us with the cross of Christ - forever. When our mark is one on our heart it, is easy to forget the life it offers us. And yet, your Spirit continues to tap us on the forehead and whisper "come follow me" and we are guided into the way of your Reign. Amen. |
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