Lent 4
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
(See Lent 1, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)
In the powerful 1995 film, The Mission, Robert De Niro plays a violent slave trader who has killed his own brother. Though not a religious person, De Niro's character nevertheless turns to a local priest to help him deal with the terrible guilt of his awful deed. The priest, it turns out, is a missionary to the very tribe of natives that De Niro, the slave trader, has raided over the years. As part of his penance, the priest tells De Niro he must serve the very natives he has previously preyed upon. As an additional element of penance, De Niro takes all his implements of war -- his sword, shield, armor, and so on -- ties them in a huge net bag and drags the heavy bundle through the jungle on his way to the mission.
In order to get to where the tribe lives, De Niro must climb a sheer cliff. The burden of his implements of violence nearly pulls him off the cliff several times during the climb. As he reaches the top, tribal leaders recognize him as the slave trader who has captured many men from their group. They ask the priest why he has brought this dangerous man into their midst.
The priest tells them De Niro is repenting of his violence and is not a threat to them. When they point out the swords, knives, and armor, the priest tells them it is part of De Niro's penance -- to carry the very items of death that have killed his brother.
One of the tribal leaders thinks about this for a moment and then does an amazing act of kindness. Taking his own knife from its sheath, the tribesman cuts the rope that ties the heavy bag to De Niro's weight. The heavy burden crashes down the cliff. De Niro, realizing he has been set free by the very people he has oppressed, begins to weep uncontrollably.
The visual symbolism of the slave trader suddenly being freed from his sins is stunning. It is possible to feel vicariously the moment of release and the flood of gratitude he expresses.
The psalmist's words do much the same. He deftly describes the effects of guilt on the human soul. As we hold our failure in, it makes us weak; we feel the heavy weight of its presence.
But, when we are able to experience the forgiveness of God, the burden slips away. We feel relief and release. A sense of euphoria sweeps over the psalmist as he contemplates his new state of being. "Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (v. 1).
Most people who are aware of their failures know the agony of guilt. But weighted down with guilt is a poor way to live. Better to admit our failure (v. 5). God already knows anyway. The psalmist believes that, as we confess our sin to God, we release the hold our guilt has on us. And as we accept God's forgiveness, we discover that we have been set free in the depths of our lives.
-- J. E.
In the powerful 1995 film, The Mission, Robert De Niro plays a violent slave trader who has killed his own brother. Though not a religious person, De Niro's character nevertheless turns to a local priest to help him deal with the terrible guilt of his awful deed. The priest, it turns out, is a missionary to the very tribe of natives that De Niro, the slave trader, has raided over the years. As part of his penance, the priest tells De Niro he must serve the very natives he has previously preyed upon. As an additional element of penance, De Niro takes all his implements of war -- his sword, shield, armor, and so on -- ties them in a huge net bag and drags the heavy bundle through the jungle on his way to the mission.
In order to get to where the tribe lives, De Niro must climb a sheer cliff. The burden of his implements of violence nearly pulls him off the cliff several times during the climb. As he reaches the top, tribal leaders recognize him as the slave trader who has captured many men from their group. They ask the priest why he has brought this dangerous man into their midst.
The priest tells them De Niro is repenting of his violence and is not a threat to them. When they point out the swords, knives, and armor, the priest tells them it is part of De Niro's penance -- to carry the very items of death that have killed his brother.
One of the tribal leaders thinks about this for a moment and then does an amazing act of kindness. Taking his own knife from its sheath, the tribesman cuts the rope that ties the heavy bag to De Niro's weight. The heavy burden crashes down the cliff. De Niro, realizing he has been set free by the very people he has oppressed, begins to weep uncontrollably.
The visual symbolism of the slave trader suddenly being freed from his sins is stunning. It is possible to feel vicariously the moment of release and the flood of gratitude he expresses.
The psalmist's words do much the same. He deftly describes the effects of guilt on the human soul. As we hold our failure in, it makes us weak; we feel the heavy weight of its presence.
But, when we are able to experience the forgiveness of God, the burden slips away. We feel relief and release. A sense of euphoria sweeps over the psalmist as he contemplates his new state of being. "Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (v. 1).
Most people who are aware of their failures know the agony of guilt. But weighted down with guilt is a poor way to live. Better to admit our failure (v. 5). God already knows anyway. The psalmist believes that, as we confess our sin to God, we release the hold our guilt has on us. And as we accept God's forgiveness, we discover that we have been set free in the depths of our lives.
-- J. E.
