By Derek Lang
It was interesting to read this week’s scripture from a
couple of different Bible translations. An online version of the NIV Bible
starts Mark 1:41 with “Jesus was indignant” when asked by a leper for healing.
The Harper Collins Study Bible (NRSV) says “Moved with pity,” but has a note
saying, “other ancient authorities read anger.” Another note follows that the
phrase “stern warning” actually translates to “being disturbed” or “snorting.”
And several commentaries talk about how charged of a situation this was - that indeed
Jesus was upset. Why? One alluded to the leper’s disobedience in proclaiming
Jesus’ act to the community that forced Jesus into hiding. Another said that
this situation derailed Jesus’ plans for ministry. And yet another interesting
twist was that Jesus was not angry at the man but rather at the societal
institutions that would not show mercy to someone with leprosy. It always piques
my interest when the Biblical interpretations depict Jesus as outright mad,
rather than the stereotype of a demure, loving Christ.
The thought of Jesus’ plans being co-opted by someone or
something outside his control, or even being upset at society seemed to
resonate with me this week. Still sensitive over President Obama’s declaration
that he would shift forces from the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict to posture
against China (which I view as politically motivated), I was vexed by Michigan
U.S. Senate candidate Hoekstra’s anti-Chinese commercial during the Super Bowl.
News of radical elements of Occupy Oakland breaking into City Hall and
anarchists violently co-opting legitimate cries for economic justice irked me even
more. All this was amplified when I received a phone call from a timeshare
telemarketer to whom I have repeatedly requested to be taken off their call
list. I felt a tug in my gut as injustice and things out of my control weighed
on me.
One technique for calming someone down or reducing the
tension is to repeat back the angry words of the other person. The process is
supposed to help the person see that you are listening and trying to
understand. As I read about Jesus’ moments of anger and frustration, I wondered
if this was God repeating back to me my own stresses as a way to help me calm
down and find comfort. In our current Lectionary theme on healing, it does not take
much to be reminded that we live in a world of brokenness. Thanks for all the
ways that God helps us heal.