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March 21-28, 2007

Heavenly blessing or hellish racket?

Warm-up Question:

What is the most generous act you have ever witnessed? Why did it impress you?

 

Six times a day the residents of Cypress Park, California, are treated to a short “concert” from the bell tower of Divine Savior Catholic Church, as the bells ring in harmony and play a hymn. Most residents consider the chimes a blessing. There are some exceptions though.

One woman living nearby has called numerous authorities including her councilman, the mayor and the Los Angeles Police Department to stop the bells, which she says cause noise pollution. Her husband and son claim that most residents agree with them, but don’t speak out because the church threatens them with hell, fire, and brimstone. The local resident expresses her frustration by standing on the street corner when the bells are sounding and yelling, “Ding-dong! Ding-dong!” to draw the neighborhood’s attention to what she considers a nuisance. But according to local laws, the decibel level of the bell music is below the maximum prescribed by the city.

Finally, the upset neighbor contacted a columnist from the Los Angeles Times newspaper, hoping for an ally to make her case public. The columnist interviewed local people randomly about the daily songs and all responded positively. Finally, he listened to the chimes himself and found the music beautiful. It seems that those who find the church bells loud and intrusive will have to continue to yell on street corners in order to attract public attention to there cause.

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think some neighbors object so strongly to the ringing of the church bells?
  2. Do the complaints of one family warrant the church stopping the playing of the bells? Should the church volunteer to compromise in some way? What might be some mutually agreeable solutions or compromises?
  3. Do you think it is true that other residents of Cypress Park keep silent out of fear? Why or why not?
  4. Have you ever had to stop or change the way you did something (or refused to do so) because of one objection? What happened?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, March 25, 2007.
(Text links are to oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
So there was Jesus at another party (like a modern Christian speaker on the banquet circuit, he went to a lot of dinners), when his friend Mary performed a startling act. She took a large amount of costly perfumed ointment, poured it over his feet and wiped them with her hair, as if she were a servant girl. This was not an unheard of way to honor a special guest. The ointment cooled his feet from the heat and dust and spread a pleasant fragrance around a room full of hot, sweaty people. But so much and so expensive and offered with such humility! The assembled guests could only marvel at the great love for her Lord that Mary displayed.

Except for one guest—the infamous Judas Iscariot. Like the woman who stands on the street corner screaming, “Ding-dong!” he doesn’t sense of the beauty of this action, nor of the glory it brought to the Savior. He is blinded by desire for his own earthly gain and motivations. He may already be disappointed that Jesus is taking his time in claiming the kingship that Judas expects will make him (Judas) a powerful and respected man. Now he has been upstaged by a woman! He puts on a pious face and starts talking about his concern for the poor. But Jesus is on Mary’s side. Her extravagant generosity, motivated by love alone, soars above Judas’ objections.

How often do we give of our time and treasure out of pure love for God? How much of what we do in God’s name is motivated by unbounded gratitude for his love and the gift of salvation? What fears and desires are blinding us to this spiritual beauty? Like bells from a tower or perfume filling a room, our service to God should give everyone around us—including ourselves—a glimpse into the kingdom of heaven, where all work is prompted by love and every action is beautiful.

Discussion Questions

  1. Think about Jesus’ statement, “You will always have the poor with you.” What does he mean? How does this relate to Mary’s act of love? To Judas’ phony piety?
  2. Some say that spending money on stained glass windows, works of art, and special music for the church should not be done, because the money would better serve God if given to the poor. Do you agree or disagree? Why? What would be some workable compromises or solutions?
  3. Some people have sold houses, businesses and possessions, given the money to a church, and lived in poverty, because they believe that this sacrifice pleases God. What do you think?
  4. Opinion polls of college students over the last two decades seem to indicate that the generation now maturing is the most selfish and materialistic yet. Do you think this is true? What influences and factors contribute to this? What can youth do to change this impression?
  5. When the news media adopted the phrase “random acts of senseless violence” to describe rising crime, a bumper sticker popped up that read, “Practice Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty (attributed to Douglas W. Hull).” Give some examples of random kindness and senseless acts of beauty that you have witnessed. How did it affect you? How can such acts bring glory to God? Overcome negative attitudes?

Activity Suggestions

In groups or as a class, create something beautiful that everyone can enjoy. Suggestions:

  • A mural on butcher paper drawn with chalk or colored pencil, perhaps of the scene from today’s gospel lesson of the banquet, Jesus, Mary, Judas, etc.
  • A sculpture made of cut or folded paper, wire (such as paper clips), random objects, or some combination.
  • A play representing the Gospel lesson or have students invent a modern story of the same nature.
  • An inspiring poem or song.
  • A video, online video, PowerPoint presentation, or slide show.
  • Decorations for the Sunday school or fellowship room, the narthex, or the sanctuary.
  • Ask for students’ ideas.

Suggested songs to sing: This Little Light of Mine (traditional), Take My Life, That I May Be (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, #583, 685), Here I Am Lord (ELW, #574), or Beautiful Savior (ELW, #838).


  Closing Prayer
O God, your great generosity to us can’t be measured or understood. Inspire us to respond to your gifts with a generous spirit, a willing heart, and a desire to spread the “perfume” of your love wherever we go. May you be glorified in our every word and action. In the name of your precious son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen

 

Contributed by Sylvia Alloway
Granada Hills, CA
 

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.

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