Wow! I’m reading this AFTER your Thread about today’s shooting and hearing Pres. Biden say he’s reached out to “Donald” and then asked that we not resort to violence!
THIS:
“That’s Mark’s point. There are two kingdoms — the reign of God and the rule of Caesar. It is horrifying and oddly humorous at the same time, Mark’s mockery of imperial politics. It is Herod Antipas’ Gospel of Antithesis — this is what you get if you join his party.”
I pray for the innocent people at the rally who were injured/killed, but…your quote (above). Be careful which banquet you attend.
Where does the quote, "Come along, says Herod, to my party of retribution. Follow me. I’ll feed you well. Dance for me." come from? I'd like to use it in my homily.
Thanks Diana for your words for this Sunday. You might want to check out a brand new book by James F. MCGrath. CHRISTMAKER: A Life of John the Baptist. Eerdmans 2024. This is the popular book. In October, Eerdmans will publish the scholarly volume in October: JOHN OF HISTORY, BAPTIST OF FAITH: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer.
I think that "the angel to the church in Pergamum" would enjoy your words today. Also today, Kristin Du Mez wrote these words in her letter-Connections; "-"Christians have not been immune to larger trends;" Your closing words of "You choose" opens the door to choose well, and wisely.
"Dancing for Herod." If we could get that before members of the Christian Nationalist militants, if they know scripture at all. . . Well, describing behavior should be more effective than name-calling. But of course they are well-shielded from our insights.
Speaks to this precocious 'Methodist girli in the midst of those congregations, clergy, and milieu, politics, and ferment and alongside the strands of evangelicalism and of liberal., liberation, existential , anti war .movements. Standing with those latter, i wasmarginalized in the .mainline. but also not considered radical enough. Theologically grounded in a path similar.ilar to yours, though woefully not as academic. Your long view and present assessment strongly resonate. I read Neibuhr and was more influenced.by Bonhoeffer and later theologians.... and King. Mostly, by the Gospel kerygma. Your reading of the JOHN. THE BAPTIST PASSAGE STIKES ME AS ACCURATE AND ALL TOO PRESCIENT.. The roar of retribution is terrifying -- politically in the US and globally. The silence e of most mainline Christians. and others and their frequent t historical / theological ignorance , apathy and shallowness disappoints. Thank you for remaining engaged at this point with this thorough perspective. Once to every [.man] and nation comes the moment to decide . . . . ( Sorry, having trouble with tech and autocorrect and physical impairment)
The beheading of John is one of my favorite passages in the NT, mainly due to one of my favorite operas: Salome. The work, composed by Richard Strauss to a libretto by Hugo von Hoffmansthal, is loosely based on the story from Mark’s gospel with a twist that was added by Oscar Wilde. Hoffmansthal translated wilde’s sick version of the story and recast it as an opera libretto. The story follows the gospel account pretty closely until the end, when John’s head is presented to Salome. She picks up the severed head, and, covered in blood, kisses John’s mouth, singing “ich habe deine mund gekuesst, Jochaanen.” Herod is aghast and orders her execution.
"Local thug!" ROTFL!
Oh my Diane, this Musings was perfect today.
Wow! I’m reading this AFTER your Thread about today’s shooting and hearing Pres. Biden say he’s reached out to “Donald” and then asked that we not resort to violence!
THIS:
“That’s Mark’s point. There are two kingdoms — the reign of God and the rule of Caesar. It is horrifying and oddly humorous at the same time, Mark’s mockery of imperial politics. It is Herod Antipas’ Gospel of Antithesis — this is what you get if you join his party.”
I pray for the innocent people at the rally who were injured/killed, but…your quote (above). Be careful which banquet you attend.
Peace be with you all.
Don’t you love the way the lectionary serves it up with timely precision ??
And your reflection is spot on.
Choose …
Where does the quote, "Come along, says Herod, to my party of retribution. Follow me. I’ll feed you well. Dance for me." come from? I'd like to use it in my homily.
Me. I wrote it. My work.
Of course - it's perfect!
Thank you!
Peace,
Glen
Wowzee!! This made me sit straight up!
Well said Diana, well said.
curt
Thanks Diana for your words for this Sunday. You might want to check out a brand new book by James F. MCGrath. CHRISTMAKER: A Life of John the Baptist. Eerdmans 2024. This is the popular book. In October, Eerdmans will publish the scholarly volume in October: JOHN OF HISTORY, BAPTIST OF FAITH: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer.
I think that "the angel to the church in Pergamum" would enjoy your words today. Also today, Kristin Du Mez wrote these words in her letter-Connections; "-"Christians have not been immune to larger trends;" Your closing words of "You choose" opens the door to choose well, and wisely.
Double-edged swords come in handy in some circumstances.
Given the events yesterday afternoon, praying that the angel to the church in The Cottage uses your wise words.
"Dancing for Herod." If we could get that before members of the Christian Nationalist militants, if they know scripture at all. . . Well, describing behavior should be more effective than name-calling. But of course they are well-shielded from our insights.
Which will we choose, indeed! Thank you, Diana, for an extraordinary piece.
Speaks to this precocious 'Methodist girli in the midst of those congregations, clergy, and milieu, politics, and ferment and alongside the strands of evangelicalism and of liberal., liberation, existential , anti war .movements. Standing with those latter, i wasmarginalized in the .mainline. but also not considered radical enough. Theologically grounded in a path similar.ilar to yours, though woefully not as academic. Your long view and present assessment strongly resonate. I read Neibuhr and was more influenced.by Bonhoeffer and later theologians.... and King. Mostly, by the Gospel kerygma. Your reading of the JOHN. THE BAPTIST PASSAGE STIKES ME AS ACCURATE AND ALL TOO PRESCIENT.. The roar of retribution is terrifying -- politically in the US and globally. The silence e of most mainline Christians. and others and their frequent t historical / theological ignorance , apathy and shallowness disappoints. Thank you for remaining engaged at this point with this thorough perspective. Once to every [.man] and nation comes the moment to decide . . . . ( Sorry, having trouble with tech and autocorrect and physical impairment)
Brilliant, Diana! You made me laugh...in a very sad way!
Same here, and yes brilliant. My laugh was one of irony and felt a wee bit too close to the bone.
Sounds like you "got" exactly what I hoped from this piece!
A question: besides voting, how do we inspire ourselves and others without resorting to the fear of retribution? thank you
The beheading of John is one of my favorite passages in the NT, mainly due to one of my favorite operas: Salome. The work, composed by Richard Strauss to a libretto by Hugo von Hoffmansthal, is loosely based on the story from Mark’s gospel with a twist that was added by Oscar Wilde. Hoffmansthal translated wilde’s sick version of the story and recast it as an opera libretto. The story follows the gospel account pretty closely until the end, when John’s head is presented to Salome. She picks up the severed head, and, covered in blood, kisses John’s mouth, singing “ich habe deine mund gekuesst, Jochaanen.” Herod is aghast and orders her execution.