Scripture: Mark 15:16-20
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Reflection Questions:
Mocking taunts continue to haunt and devalue life. Have you ever been made fun of or the object of someone else’s ridicule? Perhaps, you felt inclined to slander another. Words are powerful weapons for us and others. They crucify the spirit and dehumanize the body. What would it look like for you to be more intentional in your speech so that it constantly resonates with God’s love?
Five-minute Story:
For over thirty years, St. John’s Roman Catholic Soup Kitchen in Newark, New Jersey has been feeding the homeless and hungry with a daily meal. It is a tremendous outreach that keeps this tiny parish alive, even as the number of worshipers has dwindled. Faith Lutheran in New Providence, where I served as pastor, had supported and stood alongside them. Each month, we sent a team of volunteers to prepare and serve a meal. This dedication continues to this day.
Long-term ministry partnerships are a blessing because they allow for relationships to form on many levels. Over my twelve years at Faith Lutheran, I got to know the folks at the Soup Kitchen. It was a blessing to me.
One of the regulars, who was a part of the leadership team there, was a guy by the name of Vinny. A little rough around the edges, perhaps, but Vinny had a heart of gold. He was always working the angles. Leaving the high-pressure gladiatorial area of the financial area, Vinny chose to put his energy, enthusiasm, and savvy to work for Jesus.
On our designated Saturday, the troupe from Faith Lutheran would arrive early. It took the better part of the morning to prepare a meal of chili and cornbread. St. John’s did not have a space large enough to seat the hundreds of people that came each day, so we had to serve the meals outside. In all sorts of weather, the line of hungry people stretched down the street.
To serve as many meals as we did, we needed to cook the chili in huge pots, stirring it with a large paddle. At such a massive quantity, it took awhile for the canned product to heat up.
I would often get on ‘stirring duty.’ Oh, the laughs we’d have in that kitchen! Vinny was part of the fun; when he was around, I’d always chuckle. Midst the shenanigans, I remember Vinny regularly adding more spice to the chili that we were stirring. Shake, shake.
The chili spice came in large plastic containers. I think the word “dump” would accurately describe the volume and nature of the amount of spice he added. Newcomers would look with horror as Vinny abundantly seasoned the meal.
If anyone questioned, Vinny would merely say, “folks living on the streets have lost their taste buds.” I’m not sure of the validity of his statement. Perhaps some of the drug addictions have compromised the ability of taste for some. I never checked the science behind his claim, and I was not about to challenge his logic. Besides, his “spicy” practice came from a right place. He wanted people to be able to taste their food.
The desire to add flavor to life was something that went to the heart of the Soup Kitchen’s mission. It is a mission that aligns with Jesus’ ministry. The heart of his gospel added zest and vibrancy to life: joy, delight, and flavor. In a highly relational way, Jesus and his disciples encountered a world of exclusion, violence, disease, hunger, and injustice with the radical hope that every life experience counts to God. Further, each life should reflect the abundance of God.
By sharing the open hospitality of God, they sought the transformation of the world through a community centered in compassion. It was a dream, to be sure. A flavorful dream that was far from the reality of life that existed on the edge of despair with dulled taste buds.
The meal fellowship practices of Jesus boldly demonstrated the love of God. He ate with tax collectors, sinners, and Pharisees alike. In the process, he set a new norm for his disciples to follow. It is that legacy that continues at St. John’s Soup Kitchen and stands ready for each community of faith and struggle to claim as their own.