Today's match-up is why Lent Madness can sometimes resemble the theater of the absurd. The Scriptural figure Joseph of Armimathea, who asked Pilate for Jesus' body in order to give him a proper burial, takes on Anna Cooper, African-American feminist, writer, and academic. The good news? Lent Madness returns after taking a sabbath on the First Sunday in Lent.
Over the weekend, as Tim was singing The Great Litany in procession, Scott shared some additional Lenten devotional resources offered by Forward Movement (shockingly, Lent Madness isn't everyone's sole Lenten discipline). The mysterious Maple Anglican also released his Week One Update video which recapped the first three match-ups and previewed this week's battles.
And now? More Madness!
Joseph of Arimathea
The patron saint of funeral directors, morticians, and undertakers, Joseph of Arimathea has a curious reputation. He appears in all four gospels, doing essentially the same thing: going to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body in order to provide for his burial. Presented as a person of high status by each evangelist, his portrait shifts slightly in each version. He’s a kind of Rorschach test for a character we tend to think of as “not Jesus’ type:” a wealthy, well-connected religious leader.
In Matthew, he’s noted as a rich man and a disciple of Jesus. In Mark, he’s “a respected member of the council” who “went boldly to Pilate.” In Luke, he is “a good and righteous man,” a member of the council who had not agreed with the plan to kill Jesus. And in John, he’s a secret disciple for “fear of the Jews.” It’s like the synoptic gospels are saying, “Yeah, he’s on the council that killed Jesus, but he’s really a good guy, you know?” John can’t seem to get over his distaste.
John cannot deny, however, that after Jesus was abandoned at his crucifixion, Joseph showed up and went in person to the very man who executed Jesus and asked for the body. Handling the corpse would render Joseph ritually unclean for the Passover (Numbers 19:11-13).
Instead, Joseph fulfilled another law. Deuteronomy 21:22-24 says, “When someone is convicted of a crime punishable by death and is executed, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse must not remain all night upon the tree; you shall bury him that same day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.”
Joseph is an interesting (and typically Jesus-like) case study about keeping the Law: is it more important to be clean and to take part in religious rituals or to show love and compassion to the least among us? Joseph’s choice shows he understood the essential truth of Jesus’ teaching.
After the burial, Joseph disappears from scripture. According to one legend, he brought the Holy Grail to England. In fact, Elizabeth I made use of Joseph’s supposed trip to support Anglicanism. After all, the Roman bishops “testifieth Joseph of Arimathea to be the first preacher of the word of God within our realms.” Therefore, the Roman Church couldn’t have been the first and only established church in England, could it?
Collect for Joseph of Arimathea
Merciful God, whose servant Joseph of Arimathaea with reverence and godly fear prepared the body of our Lord and Savior for burial, and laid it in his own tomb: Grant to us, your faithful people, grace and courage to love and serve Jesus with sincere devotion all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anna Julia Haywood Cooper
Anna Julia Haywood Cooper was one of the first feminists of the twentieth century and a tireless advocate for “neglected people,” in particular, African American women. Born in 1858 as the daughter of an enslaved African woman and a white man, likely her master, Anna transcended the limitations of slavery and the post-Civil War’s Reconstruction. She attended St. Augustine’s Normal & Technical Institute—now St. Augustine’s College—in Raleigh, North Carolina. She later studied at Oberlin College and graduated in 1884 with a bachelor’s degree and in 1887 with a master’s in mathematics. While at St. Augustine’s, Anna met and married her husband George Cooper, who was preparing for the priesthood. Although he died two years after they married, Cooper pressed forward with her education and career because of her desire to foster the full inclusion of black women in civic life.
Anna’s passionate belief in the power of education to transform lives led her to serve as a teacher and principal at M Street High School, the only all-black school in Washington, D.C. When her superintendent told Cooper that she should focus on teaching trades to her students instead of science, math, and literature, Cooper unabashedly defied his orders and continued with her original plans. As a result of her firm resolve, M Street’s graduates attended some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities during a time when such opportunities were limited for women and people of color.
Cooper wrote A Voice from the South, in which she argued that black women had a unique voice about the experience of oppression and criticized educational, social, and civic advancements that only favored black men. At the heart of Cooper’s work was a firm belief in the potential of every human being. Never one to slow down, in 1915, Cooper adopted five children left orphaned, and in 1925, at the age of sixty-five she earned her doctorate in history from the University of Paris. Cooper died in 1964; she was 105 years old.
In 2009, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp in her honor. Pages 26-27 of all United States passports quote Anna Julia Haywood Cooper’s passionate beliefs about equality and freedom for all: “The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party, or a class—it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.” Thus it is possible to meditate on Lent Madness while waiting in slow-moving immigration lines when you return to the United States from vacationing elsewhere.
Collect for Anna Julia Haywood Cooper
Almighty God, you inspired your servant Anna Julia Haywood Cooper with the love of learning and the skill of teaching: Enlighten us more and more through the discipline of learning, and deepen our commitment to the education of all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-- Maria Kane
Vote!
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206 comments on “Joseph of Arimathea vs. Anna Cooper”
I would appreciate the help of some Biblical scholars in my interpretation of the Biblical quotes cited in Joseph of Arimathea's bio. First, let me confess that I adore his chapel in the National Cathedral in DC, at the very bottom of the great bell tower, as befits a tomb. Under the weight of all that stone, between those massive columns, is the best place to spend Holy Saturday in my opinion. But I wonder if Joseph was in fact the emissary of the High Council to remove Jesus's body from the cross and bury it, as Deut. commands. Not as an act of kindness, but as a sign that the body is "under God's curse." Roman law would have demanded that the body rot in the open. Why Joseph is scripturally important is because he is a high-ranking Jewish official who verifies that Jesus was actually dead and actually buried--thus making the physical resurrection more likely to be believed. He is essential to the resurrection and therefore essential to the Gospels. Any thoughts about this, scholars? I love the story of Anna, but also agree we are comparing apples to oranges. I will wait to vote until I hear more about Joseph. Also, regarding Joseph being unclean, would that come from touching the dead? (Can't be washed away, I don't think.) But wouldn't he have just hired someone to handle the body for him?
Okay, now I get why this is a Lenten discipline. These choices are soul-wrenching, in a Sophie's Choice kind of way. I don't want to leave any of these good folks behind, especially since they are clearly better people than me. It almost doesn't feel right to vote, may God forgive me.
I've been waiting for this match up since the brackets were announced. I was prepared to vote for blessed Anna because she is amazing and most people have never heard about her. The sudden passing of mr father-in-law ten days ago, and the wonderfully compassionate funeral directors we dealt with made me realize the sacrifice that Joseph made in not only giving his sacred space for the body of our Lord. and his witness in taking himself out of the community of faith for Passover. There is no looser today. My vote is for Joseph.
I came to the vote in a little anguish. How could they put anyone up against J of A? My heart was immediately torn because of course? I would have to vote for J of A, for all the reasons written above and I would add, not just any new tomb, HIS. With his great wealth, surely he could have purchased another.
But the point of Lent Madness is to learn and study, so I opened said heart and read J of A's bio, immediately affirming my admiration for him as I did.
And then I read AC's. Said heart began to swell in admiration. And then in inspiration. Imagine, how many did she serve, save and inspire who were the least of His? Wearing two strikes (Black and female) she forged on and on, accomplishing great things for many.
I love you Joseph, we are all forever indebted to you, but oh Ms. Anna, I must vote for you. Mission accomplished Lent Madness, I learned much today, about two Saints AND myself.
"A State Department official who declined to be named said that the decisions on which quotes to put in the passport were made by the bureau of consular affairs leadership in 2005 after an internal working group narrowed the field. The criteria for choosing quotes included that they come from notable historical figures (all are deceased) and that they reflect motifs depicted on the pages of the passport. (Thomas Jefferson among cactuses?) Most important, the official said in an e-mail, is that the quotes had to be available in the public domain. No risk of copyright challenges allowed." (from http://passblue.com/2012/03/07/don%E2%80%99t-women-travel-too/) Tough choice but I'm voting for Joe Of A for my Uncle P who has long been a member of a group named for him.
Wow, really tough...I was very drawn to Anna for what she accomplished for so many and herself. I should have voted before reading any comments...but I was swayed by the very first comment saying that J of A performed that final ritual for Jesus even though he wasn't the kind of person on Jesus' radar. He was a man of wealth and privilege and he wanted to do the right thing AND he could.
This tells us a lot of truly laudable things about Julia Cooper's life-- everything except the place of God in it. So far as I can tell from the description, God is not present at all. For a saint, shouldn't that matter?
Loved hearing about Anna, but I was wonder if she professed the Christian faith. It was not mentioned in the bio.
Good point, and a grave omission!
Anna Julia Cooper did indeed profess her faith as a Christian and it colored many of her beliefs about feminism and uplifting marginalized communities. She often critiqued intellectual and social pursuits that were not driven by one's Christian faith.
Oh, but, your vote does matter! If anything, the stories of these saints remind us that despite our weaknesses and faults, we can still be beacons of great light and love.
Well put Maria! Well put.
Megan Elizabeth, good comments, most appreciated. I was unclear. Maybe still am...it's that time change thing. What I had hoped to say was that historically, literally Joseph lifted the actual dead body of Jesus, (an unrepeatable act), whereas Anna figuratively lifted (and will lift) many generations of the people of God, i.e., the Body of Christ. Further she encouraged others to be "earnest, unselfish souls, who can go into the highways and byways, lifting up and leading, advising and encouraging with the truly catholic benevolence of the Gospel of Christ." (quoted from KEW, Cooper's Voice from the South, above.)
So very wise and true: no loser at all. May peace and comfort steady and your family in the days ahead.
So glad KEW added to the bio information. From KEW's comment above, here are quotations from Anna, “We look forward with hope and trust that the same God whose guiding hand led our fathers through and out of the gall and bitterness of oppression, will still lead and direct their children, to the honor of His name, and for their ultimate salvation.”
“We need men and women who do not exhaust their genius splitting hairs on aristocratic distinctions and thanking God they are not as others; but earnest, unselfish souls, who can go into the highways and byways, lifting up and leading, advising and encouraging with the truly catholic benevolence of the Gospel of Christ."
Thank you, KEW.
Boy, this is tough. Julia Cooper's life was amazing but today I did two memorial services for two beautiful women; both of whom were faithful servants of God. And so today my vote goes to Joseph who prepared our Lord for his burial.
I have grandchildren who have profited from her example. I have to vote for Anna. Joseph was a good guy and I am glad he did for Jesus what was right but today is Anna's day.
Joseph prepared the table for the Resurrection. That seems pretty hard to trump.
I'm very happy to learn about Anna, but in the end, I must vote for the planter of the Thorn of Glastonbury.
Joseph, all the way.
Anna all the way, though if he were up against someone less inspiring I'd be tempted towards Joseph. 105 years of service to those left behind by the mainstream--even before the quotes about her faith came out in comments, that seemed a Christlike witness to me.
I'm disturbed by the number of comments that were critical of Anna on the basis of not knowing enough about her motivation--was it "Christian" or not? She did with her life what Jesus told all his followers to do. Seems like a slam dunk to me. "Not everyone who saith to me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he (sic) who doeth the will of my Father in Heaven." Anna certainly did!
Good one, Mary! I voted for Joseph, but I too was bothered by those comments. You summed it up very well!
Double Wow! "...the desire for quick returns and large profits..." and "...and then, to drown the whisperings of their higher consciousness and effectually to hush the yearnings and accusations within, flying to narcotics and opiates..." We haven't made that much progress in the last 100+ years.
Has anyone noticed that AJHC is the only female voice quoted in the passport?
Yes; that's why I meant to look her up, but never got around to it. And now Lent Madness has enlightened me!
Thanks for this . I love "God’s kingdoms are all sealed to the seedy, moss-grown mind of self-satisfied maturity"
I hadn't noticed! Took care of 2 minorities at one fell swoop. How very clever. Hmph!
I think you are right - you have convinced me - I was rather taken by the selfless and dutiful image of J of A - although i rather discount all that stuff about him planting his thorn staff at Glastonbury. But in fact you are right about Anna.
Yes, and our new assistant rector teaches at the Anna Julia Cooper school here in Richmond.
Amen!
I have just spent the past hour reading all the comments and even though I voted earlier, I must say again that this was a difficult decision. Regarding all the comments on the question of Anna's faith, I think that just because it was not mentioned, she did what she knew was right and in that way she definitely followed what Jesus would have told her to do.
Since I had no takers, did my own research to discover that touching the dead CAN be washed away if done on third and seventh days after death. But NEVER if third day is not done. So if I am correct, then Joseph could have participated in Passover, if he made sure to wash his hands on Easter! Love that.
Same applies to Judas.
Well I was completely confused about which way to vote. All the aguements seem valuable and informative but I must say that rellingrw's post has convinced me that Anna Cooper is the one to vote for today. Thank you!
Really hard choice. I'm going with Joseph but I really appreciate LM letting us know about Anna Julia Haywood Cooper. Amazing person who should be much better known than she is.
Joseph was a very brave man, that is true. As to his being ritually unclean? That probably was only a passing thought to him, since he could have bathed if there was time, and if not, he would have missed but one or two nights of the Passover. Remember, he was a Very Important Person - I'm sure one of the Pharisees would have help him with the ritual cleansing. Anna, on the other hand, went through life being considered by many as unclean and impure merely because of the color of her skin. Yet she not only persevered, she triumphed over all the distrust and hatred and discrimination because she kept her eyes on the prize and never lost faith (and yes, I knew of her Episcopal connections before I voted). So my vote was easy to cast: go with the one Who had staying power, because in my line of ministry, I need all the staying power I can get.
What is your line of ministry? Why do you need staying power?
Hard choice. I am a great fan of Joseph, and have been since I first read about him as a teenager (too many years ago to count), but after reading about Anna, I had to vote for her. My being a retired teacher may have had something to do with the decision.
It's hard for me to cast a vote against Anna Cooper given both her extraordinary example and our hometown connection - my school bus took me past St. Augustine's College in Raleigh for the 4 years of high school. But Joseph of Armimathea's service is one of the most touching moments in the Gospels for me, and the Joseph of Arimathea Chapel at the National Cathedral is one of my favorite architectural spaces anywhere, so he gets my vote.
Never heard of this chapel. Now I must see it!!
My favorite chapel also. Here's the tour:
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/quicktime/josephs.mov
As a late in life Foster/adoptive mother I am a little baised perhaps, but for me it came down to the LIFELONG hard and defiant choices Anna was called to make..and then did so in service of Good, justice and saving at least 5 young lives.
Both worthy, but not voting for my namesake? Impossible!
While I love Anna's story, one of courage and tenacity, I still felt like Joseph of Arimathea was my choice. I have always admired his willing to sacrifice his place to help our Lord. I voted for Joseph!
Joseph was totally a mensch, but Anna Rocks!
Joseph's deed was besutiful and compassionate (and probably courageous as well) but here in Oberlin we're voting for Anna Julia Haywood Cooper. What a remarkable woman and, by the way, just the sort of moral, social, and spiritual leader that Oberlin College was founded to empower.
I really feel like voting for Anna: what an amazing, inspiring woman! So much to admire, such perseverance in the face of so much difficulty.
But as I was reading the comments, it occurred to me that Joseph was a kind of mediator, crossing back and forth between the high-status religious officials and the low-status Jesus followers. That's a theme I've been studying and writing about as a way of being a peacemaker.
So I think I need to cast my vote for Joseph, who moved down the status ladder to follow Jesus.
Joseph seems to me to be saintly, Anna seems like she did good works.
Again, for me this is a Lenten discipline. I guess that means, here in the Pacific (Daylight!) Time Zone, I don't really care who wins, but I need to take all day to ponder and pray about my decision. And I have, in the end, gone with Joseph. Not so much because of his claiming and caring for the body of Christ and not for the traditions that link him to the British Isles (although I find that fascinating, but because I think his story speaks to those of us who loudly protest the selfishness and greed of the '1%', without thinking of the individuals who make up that group. Joseph reminds me that there may be saints in the 1% - the individual sometimes must make very difficult decisions to follow ones conscience.
I feel very close to Anna's story, living in a multicultural community and working in education. But there are a lot of voices to tell that story and sometimes when we hear a different story, it pays to listen.
I voted for Anna after some research and reading many of the posts - but thanks for your observation about Joseph and the 1% - what an insightful perspective. I love LM for the way that it helps us to see people from so many different experiences and points of view.
Wow, Irene, that it so powerful! Thank you for that perspective.
It's almost midnight and I'm still not wild about Joseph or Anna. He was was a bit of a wimp but he did something great and redeemed himself. But what else did he do? Anna was driven and not only that, driven for 102 years, Guess I'll go with Anna.
To me.this has been the toughest chioce thus far!
So many principles that might be applied, to me they seemed to match each other> Finally, on the principle of "clearest impact on my life". I voted for Joseph.
It seems the theme of today is "independent thought and action". Remember when Joseph of Aramathea went secretly to visit Jesus ? Joseph needed to know what Jesus really taught without the distraction of haughty, questioners on the sandedrin. You probably remember their conversation about 'you must be born again'; including Joseph's initial perplextion. Sometime later, it is Joseph of Aramathea who takes care of the body of Jesus, even supplying a tomb for it.
Centuries later, the young widow of a priest, quietly defies her administrator and promotes a highly academic curriculum for her minority classroom. Anna Cooper encouraged her students to exceed expectations of the school board---and the students did.
I voted for Joseph, the one with the steeper learning curve. I admire the quiet persistence shown by Anna & by Joseph, in her & his own time.