Sharing the Tree of Calvary
- davidwperk
- Sep 17, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 18, 2024
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Proper 19, the week of the seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 985)
AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96
Job 42:1-17; Acts 16:16-24; John 12:20-26
Today we celebrate the Feast of Dag Hammarskjöld. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
In the HBO movie series, “Band of Brothers,” Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks tell the story of Company E of a paratroop brigade in the 501st. Airborne, one of the units that parachuted in behind enemy lines on D Day, June 6, 1944. One particular conversation in that series struck me. Private Blithe was confessing to a platoon leader, Lt. Spears, how he hid in a ditch on D Day and didn’t try to find his unit.
Lt. Spears: "You know why you hid in that ditch, Blithe." Blithe: "I was scared." Lt. Spears: "We're all scared. You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. But, Blithe, the only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. And, the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function, without mercy, without compassion, without remorse. All war depends upon it." *
Lt. Spears’s words reminded me of Jesus’ statement in today’s Gospel, “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for life eternal life.” As Spears said, to function with courage as a soldier requires a radical letting go of your life and personal safety for the good of your comrades and the mission. As followers of Jesus, we have died with Christ in our baptism and our live is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3::3). We already are dead, dead to our old life and pledged to Christ.
To love, serve, and witness freely as a Christian requires a radical letting go of our life and personal safety and of our efforts at self-protection and self-preservation. Jesus practiced just such a radical letting go in order to become the seed planted that sprouted for our salvation. His planting took place in his death and resurrection. When he says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,” he refers to his death. That death reveals God’s nature as savior and Jesus’ nature as obedient son and lamb of God taking away the sin of the world. Thus, his death simultaneously humiliates and glorifies.
There you have it. The essence of discipleship requires not so much the letting go of things and others as much as it requires the letting go of ourselves. In Spears’s words, we accept the fact that we already are dead, crucified with Christ, sharing his place of rejection in the world. Then, we find ourselves free to take the risks involved in sharing God’s love with others through our daily work, our acts of service, our witness to our faith, and our worship. We become like seed planted. The seed loses itself in the soil and bears much fruit when it sprouts.
When the prospect of such radical letting go terrifies us, we cry out to the Jesus who felt that same terror in the Garden when he prayed three times that the cup might pass from him. He knows full well the tears and the sweating in the dark, the wrestling with raw terror. And, we can count on his presence within us to transform our will of clay into a will of iron.
* HBO Movie Series, "Band of Brothers," Episode 3: "Carenton."
Collect of the Day, Proper 19, the seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 233)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Dag Hammarskjöld, peacemaker (died 18 Sep 1961 CE)
Collect of the Feast of Dag Hammarskjold
Almighty God who exalted your humble Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Kindle within the hearts of the leaders of this world a yearning for peace with justice as you did within your servant Dag Hammarskjöld and, following his good example, ever guide our feet into the way of peace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
The Tree of Calvary
O Tree of Calvary, send your toots deep into my soul. Gather together my frailties—my soiled heart, my sandy instability and my muddy desires—and intertwine them with the strong roots of your arboreal love. Amen.
Daily Prayer for All Seasons (New York: Church Publishing, 2014), p. 28.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
For stewardship of creation
O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 259)
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen. (BCP, 461)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Gospel, John 12:20-26
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 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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