Where the Wild Things Are

In his book, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, Maurice Sendak tells of a little boy who’s been naughty and given a time-out in his bedroom. He falls asleep and dreams of a land where strange beasts and critters live. They even make him king! Our Lenten pilgrimage is usually to a strange land where we’re confronted by Wild Beasts, demons and the tempter’s question of “Who do you think YOU are?” This weekend’s readings will affirm that God is/has been there before; indeed, has created these wildernesses and times of quarantine. Would that we had only 40 days to go! What will our culture be like when the Ark finally settles onto firm ground?

When the doors of Noah’s Ark finally opened, God spoke to the newly released inheritors of the earth, “I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you…” (Genesis 9:9) As they escaped their quarantine, God hung his war-bow upside-down as a non-intimidating rainbow, and announced that all life is sacred: the green alligators & long-necked geese, even cats & rats & elephants. Some of these are considered “wild things”, yet they’ve been Created with a holy essence running through their veins. This is a radical alternative to our basic (sinful?) nature to despoil the universe by trying to control it. The passage introduces us to Lent as God binds God’sself to this covenant…and evidently expects us to consider ourselves likewise bound.

So where are the Wild Things in I Peter 3:18-22? The lection is a reprise of the Noah story (without the animals) proclaiming the sacredness of all creatures. Here is a creedal statement, especially about baptism and the role which Incarnate God in Jesus continues to affirm. As we consider Holy Journeys, whether to lands of strange beasts or the wilderness where we are developed, here is our itinerary: to move into desolate places where the familiar and comfortable are only dim memories. Discipleship–especially in Lent–rejects our attempts to retire from the field and reminds us (me) that deserts happen; and that there is still Godly comfort and relief when Wild Beasts question who I am….

“(Jesus) was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts and the angels waited on him.” (Mark 1:13) Not much detail, here; we’re invited to imagine our own. Did the beasts of the Ark roar at night for their prey? Did Jesus remember that Adam gave them all names before trying to be God himself? What other demonic forces or hallucinations came to challenge God-made-Man during the sleep-deprived and hunger-filled days of desperation? Jesus too was quarantined and observed social distancing. On an extended solo camping trip to Nowhere, what is essential to bring? and what should we leave behind? What are the nuances between the voices of the Tempter and angels?

It’s too easy to give up potato-chips for Lent. If I were true my calling, my covenant, I would preach to people that just when they’re filled with the Holy Spirit of God, then they’re liable to be sent to the wilderness. I would wait at the desert’s borders to guide other pilgrims across, since I’ve been here before. Pilgrims should be made aware that there ARE demonic questions to answer about who we are: everyone’s demons look different, yet they all have the agenda of wrecking our self-worth. Happy camping! Spring rains and the glories of Easter will be here…in a bit.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come join me in being assaulted by lectionary readings for the upcoming weekend! Every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com