Conversing Without Integrity
- davidwperk
- Feb 20
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Thursday, February 16, 2023
The week of the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
13 Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. 14And they came and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ 16And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ 17Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 948)
AM Psalm 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45
Isa. 65:1-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-16; Mark 12:13-27
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Douglass. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Give and take, dialog and debate, question and answer--the stuff of community. As a teacher in the high school, college, and seminary classroom, I relished the interchange with students. And, as a priest, I enjoy dialogue about ideas as well. Occasionally, however, what has the appearance of a question can be a set up. When someone already knows the preferred answer to a question before asking and asks for reasons less than honorable, they are asking a loaded question.
Such questions were quite common at the Baptist seminary where I taught New Testament in the 1980’s, when a student had a different theological perspective and asked a question in an attempt to entrap or to accuse the teacher of theological error. For example, “Doctor Perkins, do you believe the Bible is inerrant?” The student already knew the answer they wanted. They were not seeking information or honest dialogue. They were seeking to sniff out whether I was a liberal by their definition of the term.
A private question about such an issue would be less likely to cloak a hidden agenda. I’ve had many honest private and public conversations about controversial issues. But, in a public setting like the one in today’s reading, the loaded question will become obvious in the moment.
Jesus, in these three controversy stories, gets hit with two loaded questions. In the first instance, the question about taxes, they anticipated a yes or no answer. Either would trap Jesus into a difficult place. If he said yes, his fellow Jews who despised Rome would take exception. If he said no, he would appear to be advocating sedition against the Roman government. The Sadducees, who did not even believe in the resurrection, asked the second question. It was one of their favorite debating questions in their disputes with the Pharisees, who affirmed the resurrection.
In neither case did Jesus give a direct answer. A loaded question does not deserve one. He immediately saw through the hidden agenda and turned the questions back on those who asked. I would respond to the student question mentioned above in a variety of ways. “Why is it important for you to know my views on inerrancy?” Or, “I prefer to define the Bible in positive terms as The Word of God. Inerrancy is a negative way of discussing the Bible.”
The person posing a loaded question lacks integrity. They ask for dishonest reasons. Information or conversation is not the aim; rather, the intent is entrapping the person or categorizing them. Such dishonesty frays the fabric of community, because the hidden agenda weakens trust. First, the person asking does not trust the person he or she is questioning. Second, the person being questioned in this dishonest way loses faith in the honesty of the questioner.
In the church, we always are getting to know one another more fully and learning to trust one another. It is doubly important that we speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4) with one another and avoid hidden agendas and dishonestly posed questions. Speak the truth in love--that has such a deep and sweet ring to it. Honest conversation weaves community. Conversation without integrity and love tatters the fabric of community.
Collect of the Day, Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 216)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Douglass, social reformer (died 20 Feb 1895 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Frederick Douglass
Almighty God, we bless your Name for the witness of Frederick Douglass, whose impassioned and reasonable speech moved the hearts of people to a deeper obedience to Christ: Strengthen us also to speak on behalf of those in captivity and tribulation, continuing in the way of Jesus Christ our Liberator; who with you and the Holy Spirit dwells in glory everlasting. Amen.
A Collect for Guidance
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 100)
Of the Holy Eucharist (Especially suitable for Thursdays)
God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit
of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)
In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)
A Collect for Mission
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 12:13-27
13 Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. 14And they came and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ 16And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ 17Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.
18 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that “if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.” 20There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. 23In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.’
24 Jesus said to them, ‘Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? 27He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.’
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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