NORWAY MOURNS

Readers will know that this blog is opposed to all violence, especially religious violence; and all fundamentalisms, especially religious fundamentalism. Norway’s mass murderer describes himself as Christian and Conservative, although he seems to have taken very little from either of these traditions but nourished himself on the fantasies of those who think Christian means white-skinned and conservative means using guns. His use of the net reminds all users of the influence of what is written and read here. I will welcome reflections on this issue from readers and give their views prominence on this site.

The blog provides a meditation on the Episcopal daily readings along with a headline from world news

2 Samuel 2:1-11

2After this David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?’ The Lord said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said, ‘To which shall I go up?’ He said, ‘To Hebron.’ 2So David went up there, along with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3David brought up the men who were with him, every one with his household; and they settled in the towns of Hebron. 4Then the people of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

When they told David, ‘It was the people of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul’, 5David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord, and buried him! 6Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you! And I too will reward you because you have done this thing. 7Therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.’

8 But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbaal son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9He made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10Ishbaal, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 11The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

David, the Shepherd King

In later history, Israel and Judah were separate kingdoms. The author shows that from the time of Saul’s death, there was a tendency for them to go their own ways, which David had to overcome to create a united kingdom. David is shown as canny: he makes sure that people in Jabesh know that they have his favour and that he would like theirs. Although this does not happen immediately, David demonstrates patience. The author wants the reader to appreciate his hero’s political skills and moderation.

Mark 6:14-29

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ 15But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ 16But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’

17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ 19And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ 23And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ 24She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ 25Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ 26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

the king who feeds on his people

The lectionary compiler wants us to see the contrast between a good King (David) and and a bad one (Herod). Mark is also setting up a contrast between King Herod who (almost literally) feeds on his subjects, and King Jesus who in the next narrative feeds 5000 people spiritually and physically. In most prophetic criticism of kingship the ancient image of the shepherd provides a point of comparison. The shepherd protects and guides the flock to nourishment. Ezekiel speaks of shepherds who feed on the flock.

In his picture of the corruption of Herod’s court Mark shows the King as careless of the marriage law (although what about David in this regard?), vengeful towards God’s prophet, luxurious in his habits, weak in making and keeping a foolish promise made in public. A man is murdered to preserve face. Now in Jesus the superstitious Herod feels that John has come back to haunt him.

There is no reason to doubt that Mark is giving his readers a contrast between an unjust politics and the politics of Jesus Messiah.

An imaginative retelling of the life of St Paul-St. Paul: An Unauthorised Autobiography by me, Michael Mair is available now on Amazon Kindle. Reviews would be welcomed.