Date: Monday, February 19
Contributor: Kathy Ackerman Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/MondayFirstWeek.html Today’s Lenten readings focus on the topic of discipline. Through the collect and then the readings, we are given two different understandings of that very loaded word. Being a bit of a word nerd, I went diving into several online dictionaries for the word’s etymology. The root of the word “discipline” is the Latin “diciplina” which means “instruction, knowledge” and is derived from “discere” – which is clearly the root word for our word “discern”. I also noted that “discipline” and “disciple” are etymological cousins. However, apparently, in the 13th century, English speakers decided to use the word to refer to religious self-flagellation. (How they arrived at that usage is something I don’t know and don’t WANT to know). From there, it has morphed into its more common usage as “punishment” or “behaving and working in a controlled way that involves obeying particular rules or standards.” (tip of the hat to Collins Dictionary). The collect reads, in part “mercifully increase in us your gifts of holy discipline, in almsgiving, prayer and fasting” which fits comfortably with Collins’ usage. (Whoever Collins might be). But the readings are really about discipline in the earliest sense of the word – teachings. We start with Leviticus, which provides us with a list of “you shall not” but they are all focused on how we are treating our neighbors with generosity, mercy, and kindness. That portion of Psalm 19 talks about “the law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul.” Hm. Further “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold.” Again, it is not about harsh rule-making. It is about learning and growing and, yes, reviving the soul. Finally, in Matthew, at first blush, it appears that we are back to our friend Collins’ definition – live your life a certain way. But notice that the “righteous” in this passage weren’t thinking about control or obeying any law. They were just living their lives as they understood and living in that law that revives the soul. They were – frankly – astonished to find that they were being awarded. (Kinda makes you wonder what the other side thought they were doing). The end of the Psalm reads: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.” I suspect Jesus would add “and the works of my hands.”
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