March 20, 2012
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”
(Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 1)
These famous words came from Lady Macbeth, who was so overcome with guilt from her part in the murder of King Duncan that she began hallucinating blood on her hands. Despite her constant hand washing, she could not remove the stain from her conscience. Little could William Shakespeare have known when he wrote the play that over four hundred years later, in 2006, researchers at Northwestern University would coin the term “Macbeth Effect” to describe the psychosomatic link between a person’s guilty conscience and their personal hygiene.
In one experiment, researchers asked a group of students to remember a time in their lives when they had committed some unethical deed, such as betraying a friend. They asked a second group to remember a time they performed a noble deed, like returning lost money. Afterwards, researchers offered members of the two groups the choice of a gift: either a pencil or an antiseptic wipe. Amazingly, people asked to relive an unethical episode in their lives were twice as likely to accept the antiseptic wipe and use it to wash their hands.
Another research experiment showed that people who felt guilty about transgressions in their past were significantly more likely to participate in volunteer projects designed to improve the lives of others in the community. “It’s sometimes called symbolic cleansing, or moral cleansing, and it’s an attempt to repair moral identity,” said Dr. Philip Tetlock, a professor of organizational behavior at the University of California, Berkeley. However, when these same persons were offered the chance to wash their hands, their willingness to follow through and participate in those volunteer opportunities dropped by half. [1]
What is it about washing hands that somehow clears a conscience of wrongdoing?
Consider Pontius Pilate, who followed his sentencing of Jesus to death by washing his hands. Perhaps he had grown weary of the debate, and the competing voices between his own conscience and the Jerusalem crowds. Perhaps he had sensed Jesus’ innocence, but cowered in fear of the growing mob. Perhaps we would want to give Pilate some credit for at least considering the correct choice during his deliberation. But when he washed his hands, he absolved himself of any opportunity to do what was costly, what was risky, and what was right.
His decision was antithetical to the meaning of the cross, which calls us to take the narrow, more complicated path. Whereas the Pilates of this world will choose what is easy and expedient, followers of Jesus are called to live a cruciform life, a life of service and self-surrender. In contrast to the way of violence and appeasement, disciples are called to peace, self-sacrifice, and love.
Ultimately, the hand washing bowl of Pilate is a direct contrast to the foot washing bowl of Jesus. On the night before he died, just hours before Pilate washed his hands, Jesus assumed the role of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet. And then, he gave them a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (John 13:34-35)
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us ponder this question: Are you a foot washer or a hand washer? Will you offer yourself in self-giving love to others, or will you choose the less complicated way of self-centeredness? Will you follow a road that is marked by cowardice, or a road that leads to a cross? Will you choose a love for power, or the path of powerless love?
Join us this Sunday as we dig further into the story of Pilate, and may we live the prayer captured in the words of the immortal hymn “Rock of Ages”:
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to your Cross I cling;
Naked, come to you for dress;
Helpless, look to you for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
Email: mdevega@sp-umc.org
[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/12/health/psychology/12macbeth.html?_r=1
FIRE RECOVERY UPDATE
Education Wing: All classrooms and offices have been cleaned and are ready to resume use.
Sanctuary: All pews, hymnals, carpet, and audio/visual equipment have been removed from the main floor of the sanctuary. A structural engineer is expected to arrive in the next week or so to check the structural integrity of the sanctuary floor and begin building scaffolding for the repainting the walls. The upholstery of the pews is expected to be cleaned, and the carpet will need to be replaced.
Kitchen and Dining Hall: Grundman Hicks Construction began work last Wednesday removing all debris from the damaged areas, a process which will take about two weeks. A large dumpster is now located on the loading area in front of the church, which means that entrance to the office will need to be through the east doors for the next seven to ten days. Modern Heating and Cooling has been contacted to remove the radiators, and Champion Electric has installed temporary lighting. Jean Anderson and Phyllis Parrott are overseeing inventory of all kitchen items, so if you are aware of any personal items that you may have lost in the fire, please contact them. All tables and chairs in the dining hall are damaged or affected by smoke and soot and cannot be recovered, along with dishware and silverware in the kitchen. All of those items will be completely replaced by insurance. The Building Committee will be meeting again with the architect on Wednesday, April 4, at which time we expect the kitchen and dining hall to be completely stripped down to the bare bones and we can resume plans for the renovation.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
We will be having our normal Holy Week schedule of services at the Community Center, with the exception of Maundy Thursday, which we will suspend for this year.
Palm Sunday, April 1, 10:10 am
Good Friday, April 6, 7:00 pm
Easter Morning, April 8, Identical Services at 7:00 am and 10:10 am
Youth Easter Brunch, in the upstairs Community Center, from 8:00 to 10:00 am.
CARDS OF SUPPORT FROM BISHOPS
“My brother Greg just shared your letter about the fire in the kitchen and damage the Schuldt dining hall. We are so sorry! Uncle Victor and Aunt Ruth were cherished members of our family. Although I never lived in Iowa, I attended more church camps there than in places where I did live. The Schuldt legacy is strong and I am pleased to know that St. Paul’s remembers my uncle and aunt.” Blessings, Scott Jones, Bishop of the Kansas Annual Conference.
“Our prayers are with you and the Cherokee church. I pray that the fire in the church did not cause damage that is not reparable. Thankfully no loss of life and worship continuing as you rebuild. Please share my support for your ministry. Julius Trimble, Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference
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