Newsletter Article March 1, 2017 "SLOUCHING TOWARDS JERUSALEM"

SLOUCHING TOWARDS JERUSALEM


In his oft quoted poem “The Second Coming” written in 1919, William Butler Yeats is said to be commenting on a world in chaos post WWI. He writes:
“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
innocence is drowned and anarchy is loosed upon the world,
and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned."

The imagery his poem conjures up is dark and dreary, as he writes:

"And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?"

Yeats was not a theologian, neither was he a Christian. The beast he refers to, is said to be the lion headed sphinx that slouches towards Bethlehem to be born. Some would say the word slouch suggests reluctance, hesitancy or even, menace. The poem is revelatory even apocalyptic.
As I pondered the imagery I began to think about the Lenten journey to Jerusalem.
The word, slouch is defined as “a gait or posture characterized by an ungainly stooping of the head and shoulders; to stand, sit, or walk with the shoulders and head bent forward.” I remember my mother reminding me always to sit up straight and not slouch. Slouching was always negative body language. But now a different image has come to mind with a very different connotation.
When I picture Yeats’ “rough beast” slouching towards Bethlehem to be born, I picture a lioness with head lowered, and shoulders slouched down, very much at work, stalking her prey, her gaze intent on her target.
In the gospel of Luke chapter 9 verse 51, the evangelist writes: “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he [Jesus] set his face to go to Jerusalem.” I now have a picture of a doggedly determined man intent on facing what awaits him in Jerusalem. In chapter 16, and again in chapter 17 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus foretells three times how, in Jerusalem, he will endure great suffering at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the scribes. He will, in fact, be killed, and on the third day be raised. Jesus knows this, even before his Transfiguration atop the mountain. Now with his face set, and head lowered, Jesus slouches toward Jerusalem, his gaze intent on his target, that “city that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to it.” (Matt 23:37) Let us dare to slouch along with him, intent on the target, doggedly determined to take the journey even as his reluctant witnesses.
As is ever true, in the wake of trouble and sorrow, we shall be transformed, and called upon to lead one another into a new day. Let’s be on our way!

Blessings,

Rev. Amanda