Rev. Cari Pattison
Woodstock Reformed Church
Sunday, July 10, 2022
“The Unlikely Hero”
Luke 10:25-37
25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" 27He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28And Jesus said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
29But wanting to justify himself, the lawyer asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.'
36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37The lawyer said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
***
I wonder if some of you have heard of Joseph Campbell’s theory on what he calls “The Hero’s Journey.”
When I set out three years ago in March of 2019 to do a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, my father’s cousin Rick said that maybe what I was doing, was seeking some kind of “Hero’s Journey.”
Campbell says that throughout literature and religion, runs this common theme of a person finding themselves and discovering their purpose.
He breaks this into a series of steps, which in many ways mirror the stories of the leaders and prophets in the Bible- I think of Moses and Isaiah and Mary.
But you might also think of Luke Skywalker or Harry Potter or Dorothy Gale.
First the character starts in the so-called “ordinary world,” and then receives some kind of “call to adventure.” From there she may initially refuse the call- deeming it too daunting or frightening.
Next there is a meeting with the mentor- the good witch who meets with Dorothy, or cousin Elizabeth who meets with Mary. This wise figure points the way forward and instills courage.
After that the hero crosses the threshold and commits to the task ahead, followed by challenging tests, allies, and enemies. I thought about some of this, as we listened to Josh Bode on Thursday…
From there the protagonist approaches the innermost cave, where the object of the quest is hidden. Danger and death lurk nearby. Next there is a supreme ordeal- a climax where life itself is at stake. Followed by a reward, a seizing of the sword, or some kind of new discovery.
Finally the hero takes the road back and decides whether to return to the ordinary world. But one final test is required for their rebirth- it may even be a miraculous transformation. And he returns to the ordinary world, triumphantly bearing the treasure that’s been found- be it love, freedom, wisdom, or knowledge.
***
Joseph Campbell makes a compelling case for how the life of Christ is in some ways an example of this hero’s journey, though not necessarily following the steps in order. Certainly there are themes of this in the path of Jesus from Nazareth to Jerusalem, from his extraordinary birth to life to the cross to resurrection.
In today’s story, we don’t find a drawn-out hero’s journey, as such. But Jesus gives us a very unlikely hero.
In the parable he tells, he doesn’t give his Jewish audience what they expect.
He doesn’t give the inquiring lawyer a set of legal points.
Jesus asks questions.
And Jesus takes us on a different kind of hero’s journey…
***
Explain the context-
What comes right before this passage…
Vs. 25 a lawyer stands up to test Jesus- he’s not a disciple or friend
“Teacher,” for that’s all he is to the lawyer-
“What must I do, to get what I want?”
Jesus asks a question, “What is written in the law?”
The lawyer answers- from Deut. and Lev. – the shema
Sarah Ruden’s translation
Jesus says, “Right you are.”
“You will live,” not “eternal life”
Wanting to justify himself, and figure out exactly whom he has to love…
And “who is the one next to me?”
Jesus tells this familiar story.
***
17 miles Jerusalem to Jericho
Robbers
A priest passes by and a Levite- both religious authorities
Fearful of touching a corpse? Breaking the law?
Or are they in a hurry? Worried that this man beaten by the side of the road might be crazy, or drunk, or an illegal immigrant, or have a weapon? All kinds of reasons why we fear
MLK quote…
Samaritan- they worship at a different mountain; centuries of animosity…
He’s vulnerable too, outside Samaria
Interesting that Jesus treats them differently…
***
We have to be taught to be afraid, don’t we?
The little girls on the Green
Ann and Edgar’s story
***
The Samaritan is moved (wrenched) with pity and does 7 things in succession- 7 is the perfect number of completion in the bible:
(image on the bulletin)
Jesus asks- “Which one of these was a neighbor?”
And the lawyer can’t even bring himself to say the word “Samaritan” – he would have to almost spit it out.
The lawyer asks, “Whom, specifically, do I have to love?”
And Jesus answers, “Here is how you love.”
“Go and do likewise” – is literally more like:
“Even you need to be on your way, and do something like that.”
***
Three things for us, on the unlikely hero’s journey of following Jesus:
Our signs here…
***
Maureen Murdock, in the 1990’s, came up with “The Heroine’s Journey.” This is not only an attempt to describe women’s experience in life, but also a way of describing the feminine energy in complement to the masculine energy which she says Campbell describes. So by this definition, every person- male or female or non-binary, has these two energies and invitations within.
She says “the feminine journey is about going down deep into soul, healing and reclaiming, while the masculine journey is up and out, to spirit.”
There are similarities in the two journeys, but the Heroine’s journey is more about realizing that success, status, and approval will not satisfy. The heroine struggles more with inner conflict, rather than external.
The outcome includes connection to the mother and father, and healing parts of herself that ignored her health and feelings, refused to accept her limits, told her to tough it out, and never let her rest. She grows into speaking her truth and owning her authority, accepting the different sides of her own nature- in order to become a spiritual warrior.
She learns the delicate art of balance and the patience for the slow, subtle integration of the feminine and masculine- that she might be a healer in the world and teach others to heal.
***
The sacrament of baptism- is a form of the hero and heroine’s journey.
And we are celebrating a baptism today.
Nicole has had an experience of Jesus that has called her out of her old ways- her earnest spiritual seeking of eastern and western traditions- and has brought those together in her encounter with Christ.
She has prayed and prepared for this day – because her baptism is about receiving a call out of ordinary life, and going on whatever adventure God leads her on.
Nicole knows the struggles of health and the battles of the spirit. She has found mentors and guides. And she has sought the treasure that only God can give- the pearl of great price- as Jesus calls it.
She knows the voice of the Good Shepherd, and she is also on an inner journey of healing and truth.
We are so blessed today, Nicole, to join you in this step on your hero/heroine’s journey.
May you find, as you rise up out of these baptismal waters, that your journey toward the sacred heart of God is only just beginning.
And may you know in your very bones, that Jesus has always- with the open arms of love- been journeying toward you.