The readings are below. To read them, go HERE.
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
Psalm 127
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12: 38-44
The past two weeks in eGleanings, our weekly electronic newsletter, I have put in a little news item. It has been at the end, one of the last things in the mailing that Kieron sends out. It is not something that will have much effect on your individual life, I imagine, but it is something that I thought people should know about. It is this: We are now part of a new diocese. Last Sunday, 31 October, our bishop retired as Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe. The bishop of the Diocese of Tuam, Killala, and Achonry also retired. With the simultaneous retirement of both bishops, the two dioceses that they had led joined into one diocese: the United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe. The new diocese stretches from north of Ballina, Co. Mayo, to Valentia Island in Co. Kerry.
As I said, this joining of two dioceses into one probably will not affect your life very much. For those in positions of responsibility in the Diocese — that includes a few people in this congregation — they might see some effect, but perhaps not even then, because the governance structures and the finances of the two dioceses remain separate for the moment. That is, until a bishop figures out how to combine them.
Yes, we are now in the position of electing a new bishop. If all goes smoothly, it is hoped that we will have a new bishop by, say, Easter, which is mid-April. It will be a tough job, for whoever the new bishop is. He, or she, will have to unite two dioceses, in terms of getting people to work together — but we have already been doing that to some degree the past few years. He, or she, will have to travel up and down the whole west of Ireland. And eventually the new bishop will have to figure out how to unite the governance structures and the finances of the original dioceses. And as you might be able to imagine, when the job involves money, people can dig in their heels and be a little difficult, shall we say. So God bless whoever the new bishop is.
All this came to mind not only because the topic has been rather omnipresent for the clergy lately — bishops do have a large effect on the lives of clergy. But it also came to mind because of the Gospel reading today. Jesus is at the Temple in Jerusalem, the centre of religious life and also the centre of power. And Jesus says this:
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets!”
The scribes were religious leaders, so Jesus is condemning the way they carry out their office. When I read it, I think of the life of clergy, even in these times. We wear long robes, though these days mostly only in church. But often we are greeted with respect in the market-places — meaning in the centre of a society. Just on Friday afternoon, I was invited to take part in the dedication of the lovely, newly restored fountain in the middle of Adare. I was grateful to be asked, and it was grand to be there, but I know I was invited because I’m the Rector of the Church of Ireland in the village. In other words, I am treated with respect in the market-place because of my position. And when I go to banquets, or even lunch at someone’s house, I am often given the place of honor at the table.
This is all very nice, and I appreciate it but what I have to watch out for is not to let it go to my head. Being given such honours to a person is a way of showing respect to the office, to the position that I hold and therefore to the Church. It does not mean that I, of myself, am so very important. But it is a temptation to think that. It is a temptation to start getting rather full of oneself and think that one deserves such treatment, or that such treatment means that one is better or more important than other people.
Now if it is possible for a rector of some country parishes to fall prey to such temptations, imagine — if you can — what it would be like for a bishop. Bishops are given lots of honours, and asked to appear at civic functions, and given fancy robes, and given the seats of honour at banquets. As one bishop I worked for said, one even acquires a new name — simply “Bishop.” Again, being called simply “Bishop” is a way for people to show respect for the office, and respect for the Church because it’s a tough job to be bishop. But there is also the temptation to like the honours and the supposed power and the perks, and to think that one deserves all of it.
What does this mean for us, as we elect a bishop? It means that we elect someone who has enough humility and self-awareness, and is grounded enough in the Christian faith, that the person is able to take the honours without thinking that it is about who they are as individuals. It means that electors do not fall prey to several temptations: to choose someone because it’s someone’s “time” to be bishop (I’ve heard that one) — they’ve played the game in the Church long enough and now they deserve the office. No one ever deserves the office.
We do not elect someone because they’re tired of being a rector and want a bit more responsibility, or just a change in their church career. I’ve seen that one too. Again, we choose someone because they are grounded in the Christian faith, because they can represent the Church with honour and dignity, and because they have enough humility and self-awareness and sense of humour to recognise that the honours are not about they themselves.
But why pick on bishops? Or even priests? What I am describing is what is required of all of us as followers of Christ. We may not be given places of honour in the Church, or even in society, but the failure of the scribes that Jesus is condemning is that they are focused on themselves. They do seemingly good things, but for the sake of appearance. They are not sincere in their faith; they are not devoted to God; they are not generous in their giving.
In the Psalm we read,
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord keeps the city,
the guard keeps watch in vain.”
Whether we are a layperson, a priest, or a bishop, whether we have places of honour and recognition in society or are considered the lowliest person on the societal totem pole, these words hold true. Unless the Lord our God is behind what we do, we labor in vain. If our work is about ourselves, we work in vain. If our work and our living is devoted to God, and supported by God, then it is not in vain. Just like bishops, we also as followers of Christ, must be grounded in the Christian faith, and also have humility, self-awareness, and a sense of humour in what we do, so that we can give praise and honour to God.
To God be the glory.