Readings
for Proper 21A:
Ezekiel 18:1-32; Phil. 2:1-23; Mt. 21:28-32
September 25, 2005
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
Have you ever plucked an unripened grape or berry off of a vine and then bit into it? If so, try to remember the horrible feeling in your mouth of that unripened piece of fruit. Now imagine for a moment, putting that sour grape (or berry) in your own mouth but causing your children to also experience the same unpleasant taste. Does that seem fair? Why should the children's teeth be set on edge because of an action by the parent? Do you believe that this is how God has constructed the laws of nature? Do you believe that you should suffer because of the sins of your parents? What I would like to talk about today is trans-generational retribution: the passing on of guilt, shame, and punishment to future generations. I will conclude with some insights on how to free ourselves from the chains (passed down from previous generations) that continue to bind us. I will use today's biblical readings as my texts, focusing especially on the prophet Ezekiel.
Around 600 years before the birth of Christ, the Babylonians conquered most of Israel. They exiled the educated people and skilled workers to Babylon, which is now the country of Iraq. One of the people who was exiled, was a man named Ezekiel. He became an outspoken prophet among the Jews who were displaced from their homeland. Many of these exiled Jews were experiencing grave pessimism regarding their life situation. Instead of taking personal responsibility for what was happening to them, the people were blaming their ancestors for their plight in life. They held fast to the theology of divine trans-generational retribution: the belief that God not only punishes the perpetrators for their sins but also punishes their families and subsequent generations.
The belief that "the sins of the parents are passed on to the 3rd and 4th generations" continues to be embraced today. Many children blame their parents for their own pathology while others unconsciously take on their parents' dysfunctional behavior. Trans-generational retribution can be understood on a global level, as when economic sanctions or military actions are imposed on entire countries (for decades at a time) because of the actions of a few high level officials. Usually, military strikes and economic sanctions do not directly affect the high level officials for a long time. After all, they are the ones with the money and power. However, 90% of people killed in a war are usually innocent civilians, most of whom are women and children.
In those countries which operate with a rigid value system of honor and shame, reputation and retribution, an entire family (of multiple generations) will feel the shame if one of its members "screws up." Oftentimes in these societies, one family will seek revenge on an entire family for an offense by one of its members. On the environmental front, we have suffered many ill effects such as cancer, ozone depletion, and water pollution because of the poor decisions that were made in previous generations. Our own generation is guilty of tremendous waste and pollution of the creation. It will be our children and our children's children who will suffer the final consequences of our selfishness.
On the scientific front, there are biological theories which lay out a fatalistic view of life. Some scientists and psychologists are embracing the notion that our genes determine who we are and what we are to become. While our genetic makeup does have an influence on some of our characteristics, believing that our future is predetermined at birth, is a recipe for hopelessness, laziness, and blame. It is into this context of fatalism and despondency, that Ezekiel preaches a life-giving word of hope to the exiles: "As I shall live, says the Lord God, this proverb (the parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth have been set on edge) shall no more be used by you in Israel." [Ez. 18]
In this chapter, Ezekiel is encouraging personal responsibility, repentance, and the transformation of the false self. Repentance (as you remember) is putting on a new mind, turning toward the Light. He says: "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions…get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit…For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn then, and live." [Ez. 18]
Turn then and live! Abundant life, a new heart, a new mind, a new spirit. "Behold, I am making all things new." The goal of the Christian path is salvation. Salvation means healing and wholeness. Salvation means that we can become the people that God wills for us to be; a people who walk in this world with compassion, mercy, generosity, peace. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul says: "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." [Phil. 2] In other words, being transformed into the likeness Christ is the goal of transformation. The reason that Christ is at the center of our faith, is not so we can oooh and aaah over his accomplishments. But rather so we can learn how to really live, how to open ourselves up to the same spirit of God that was in Christ, so that we may become like him. The life-giving words that have been spoken to us today through the Holy Scriptures, encourage us not to be stuck in the past, not to be satisfied with a wounded spirit, but to look to the possibilities of new life by taking responsibility for our own stuff. And then, to repent and live.
In November, I will be returning to the monastery for Part V of Women Touched by Grace. In preparation for this retreat, I have been asked to read a few books and to prepare a genogram, going back 3-4 generations on both sides. I am to identify the names and dates of my many relatives. I am also instructed to uncover family patterns (positive as well as dysfunctional), abuses, difficult events, divorces, deaths, illnesses, addictions, and other relevant data that will help me understand the environment into which I was born and formed. Many of the patterns that I have discovered, have been passed down from one generation to another. While at first glance, this exercise may seem to support the proverbs "the parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth have been set on edge" or "the sins of the parents are passed down to the 3rd and 4th generations", the purpose of this exercise is to break any generational pattern that keeps me from being whole, holy. It is my hope that by discovering these patterns and by working hard not to repeat them, that I will become a more faithful and healthier minister.
Blaming one's parents or past generations for one's own pathology and neurosis, does not help break the chains of suffering or dysfunction. It simply keeps a person in a state of hopelessness and woundedness. The good news is, it doesn't have to be that way. Just because we have inherited dysfunctional patterns and spirits, does not mean we have to hold onto them. The best thing we can do for ourselves, our partner, and our children, is to put an end to trans-generational patterns of dysfunction and become conscious, healthy, and faithful Christians, who are committed to putting on the mind of Christ. This requires hard work, honest reflection, repentance, deep prayer, and taking personal responsibility for becoming whole.
Have you inherited a spirit of low esteem, projecting cynicism, anger, possessiveness, and viewing the glass as half empty? If so, break the chain. Have you inherited issues of insecurity, trying to compensate by over-functioning, workaholism, materialism, alcoholism, and codependence? If so, break the chain. Do you struggle with issues of intimacy that have been handed down through the generations, such as shallow relationships, keeping secrets, and emotional distancing? If so, break the chain. These are all spiritual issues that keep us in bondage to sin (meaning alienation). So do yourself and future generations a favor. Become conscious, repent, and then live.
At the core of our tradition, is the promise of new life, forgiveness, mercy, a new heart, a new mind, and a new spirit. The power of God working in us, to heal and to make whole, is far greater than we could ever hope or imagine. This gift, this grace, this power of healing, is available to all of us. We become more open to this gift of healing by practicing the spiritual disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration.
"Therefore my beloved…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure." [Phil. 2:13]
| Updated 9/25/05 |
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