7 Pentecost A 08 Proper 8 June 08

Mt. 10: 34-42

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“ Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth I have not come to bring peace but a sword’

Believe me, I am so excited because Jesus said I could bring my sword to Church today.

When I was very young I was fascinated with the Arthur Legend; to be more specific, I was taken with the tenacity and courage

of this legendary woman, Mogaine le fey. She was determined and competent in a dangerous world. Yet, even when plagued with fear, she was not afraid to do what she felt was right. Years later, I learned that she was not the only one with such determination.

Jesus asked, ‘ Do you think that I come to bring peace, no I tell you but the sword.’ Sometimes it’s not easy to do what you think is the right thing to do.

Leonidas Polk, born in 1806, was elected missionary bishop of the southwest in 1830. In 1841 he was elected Bishop of Louisiana. As a young missionary priest and Bishop he accomplished much. Then the tide turned with the outbreak of war and I learned that what we call the Civil War, Fr. Polk called the war of northern aggression. It was here that he learned that sometimes, even Bishops are called to bring their swords to church. Polk studied at West Point and there he shared a room with Jefferson Davis. Upon gradation, he resigned his work as Bishop and went on to organize many armies. He fought for States rights and his beloved Sewanee University. He also fought in that terrible war personally.

I’ve often wondered how people felt when they took up the sword; evidently, St. Luke did as well. In his version of the same remembered statement, he writes

‘Do you think I have come to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.’

I guess I really don’t like what swords do, unless they are ceremonial pretty and clean. (Please remember, I still try to catch bugs and put them outside rather than step on them.)

So I looked the meaning of division, according to the context that applied.

I was told that division meant ‘to separate’, and I thought of my grandson in the time out chair miserable and sobbing. Taking it further, it meant separation because of differences of opinion. I also remember Mom sending us to our rooms until we could settle our disputes like rational human beings. I think this is what Luke had in mind and the Lord as well.

I took a closer look at the scriptures associated with this passage, in the Gospel of Mark. The piece you have in your bulletin, speaks to welcome and righteousness; I couldn’t find a sword anywhere in the passage. Luke, on the other hand, experienced several internal divisions: fathers against sons, mothers against daughters, etc but still no dangerous swords

I went back to semantics and found this interesting piece; that almost universally applies; that is, covenants are linguistically cut, not written, and it is almost depicted as being done with a sword or a knife. The hope is always that the divisions will heal.

At the beginning of the Civil War, a number of states succeeded from the union; yet, it’s historical fact the people, clergy and bishops continued to pray for each other during the war. When the War ended, all the Episcopal Clergy reunited. Robert E. Lee, who had surrendered his sword upon defeat, had it returned because his work and input was still very much needed.

It still is.

Currently, we are in the midst of a similar situation, as many laity and clergy have taken stands. However, there are also

signs that are optimistic.

This week, we find ourselves at a juncture. The Lambeth Conference continues, as does the meeting in Jerusalem.

Our role is to pray for them all.

If anyone can do it, we can; we have the history and the experience.

All we have to do is pray and listen.

Amen,

The Rev. Denise P. Mantell