Occasionally the SEC adds matchups based on little more than (deeply prayerful) whim. This isn't such a case, mind you, but we do sometimes get jazzed by things like alliteration. Thus, today it's Dorcas vs. Douglass. That has a certain saintly ring to it, don't you think? The winner faces Juan Diego in the Saintly Sixteen.
Yesterday, Cuthbert sent the Venerable Bede packing with a veritable Bede-down of his medieval contemporary, 63% to 37%. He'll next square off against Molly Brant.
Don't forget that our Bracket Czar updates the online Bracket each day. Scroll down to see the corresponding Matchup Calendar and learn the precise date when your favorite saint will be locking horns (not that saints have horns) with his or her next saintly rival.
After today's competition, we will be exactly halfway through the first round. Remember, no voting takes place over the weekend so the next matchup will be Francis of Assisi vs. John Wycliffe on Monday morning. Now go vote!
Dorcas
Dorcas, which is not as bad a name as it sounds (it translates into Tabitha in Aramaic and Gazelle in English), made her first and only appearance in scripture after she had already died.
A lay leader of the early church in the port city of Joppa (now Tel Aviv-Yafo), Dorcas is known only by what was reported about her in Acts 9:36-42. She was described first as a disciple, and then as a person “devoted to good works and acts of charity.” After Dorcas’ death from an unnamed illness, the church in Joppa sent two men to get Peter, who was visiting in nearby Lydda. When Peter arrived, he was taken to see the body by a group of widows, who wept as they showed some of the garments Dorcas had made for them. Peter cleared the room, prayed, and said, “Tabitha, rise,” at which point she returned from the dead, presumably to continue in her ministr y.
Reading between the lines, it seems likely that Dorcas was young and her death untimely. Although it’s easy to infer that her good works were the sewing of “tunics and other garments,” there is nothing to say that Dorcas’ charity stopped there. It is likely they were only the outward and visible signs of a life devoted to charity.
In these visible signs, Dorcas shows us that charity is eminently practical and involves providing things for people close at hand. However, charity also involves the heart and spirit. Had these practical gifts been given with a condescending attitude or unkind heart, would she have been mourned to the point of two men traveling to another town to get Peter?
In the Episcopal Church, Dorcas is remembered along with Lydia, the dealer of purple cloth who was converted by Paul, and Phoebe, a church leader mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Although understandable, it is perhaps unfortunate that these three are grouped; it seems to suggest that being a woman was the distinctive role each brought to the early church as opposed to her charity, her faith, or her leadership. In Dorcas’ case, it is easy to focus on her sewing instead of the bigger picture of her deeply rooted charity. But in Acts, the fact that Dorcas was a woman is, at best, a secondary consideration. She was first a disciple, full stop.
Even in the very brief passage in which she appears (during which she was dead most of the time), Dorcas comes across as loving, pragmatic, and well-respected — a worthy model of charity for all of us.
Collect for Dorcas
Almighty God, you raised to life again your servant Dorcas. Grant, that like her, we may always seek to weave your love into every fiber of ourselves, clothing those we love and care for in the raiment of your mercy and kindness. May we, like Dorcas, rise up from the impossible places in our lives, praising you and emboldened to continue the ministries to which you have called us. Amen.
Frederick Douglass
Many people are familiar with Frederick Douglass’ work as an abolitionist in the nineteenth century. What is not as well-known is the depth of Douglass’ Christian faith. Douglass’ love of scripture and his fascination with the apocalyptic writing of Revelation was a guidepost in his quest for personal holiness and social transformation.
Born to an enslaved woman and a white slave owner in 1818 on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Douglass was sent to work for a Baltimore shipbuilder following his mother’s death when he was seven years old. Over the course of the next eight years, Douglass learned to read and write and developed a love of the Bible. His affinity for the Bible served as a catalyst for his conversion to the Christian faith when he was thirteen. In his well-known autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he recalled that after being sent back to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, he continued to have abiding hope in God’s promises and established a Sunday school for other enslaved men and women.
While on the Eastern Shore, Douglass was subjected to numerous whippings and beatings from the plantation’s overseer, which left permanent scars on his body. These violent beatings and Douglass’ prophetic reading of scripture led him to plan his escape to freedom. Although his first attempt was not a success, in 1838 Douglass finally fled to safety in New York, before settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts, with his wife. Together, they had five children.
In New Bedford, Douglass joined an abolitionist society and an A.M.E. Zion church, where he assumed leadership as the church’s preacher. By 1841 Douglass was traveling across Canada and the northern United States rallying support against slavery. Douglass believed that individual holiness was essential to the reformation of society’s morals and the work of abolitionists. To this end, Douglass refused to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or engage in any other behavior he felt threatened the Christian’s call to righteousness.
After the Civil War ended, Douglass continued advocating for equality — not only on behalf of African Americans, but Native Americans and women. For Douglass, God’s justice would not be complete until all were treated with dignity. Douglass published more than ten books and speeches, including the conscience- raising, “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?” He died at his Washington, D.C., home in 1895 and was buried in Rochester, New York. His Washington home is currently a national landmark, housing Douglass’ collection of Bibles, religious books, and angel depictions.
Collect for Frederick Douglass
Almighty God, whose truth makes us free: We bless your Name for the witness of Frederick Douglass, whose impassioned and reasonable speech moved the hearts of a president and a people to a deeper obedience to Christ. Strengthen us also to be outspoken on behalf of those in captivity and tribulation, continuing in the Word of Jesus Christ our Liberator; who with you and the Holy Spirit dwells in glory everlasting. Amen.
Vote!
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192 comments on “Dorcas vs. Frederick Douglass”
Once again we seem to be going for modern-day politics instead of weighing the attributes of the candidates. Any woman candidate is better than any male candidate, in the eyes of these voters. That is sad, and it very much takes away from the joy of Lent Madness--at least for me.
As much as I respect Mr. Douglas and all he did, I'm sticking with the women of the early church. They get no respect and are mentioned, if at all, in a few paltry lines. Phooey on that!
Difficult as voting in these matchups are, it's more difficult to be a saint with name recognition, whose influence is acknowledged widely here on earth. Dorcas and Douglass are two such. My mother was a hidden saint in the line of Dorcas; Douglass' powerful testimony to the hunger and thirst for justice (the virtue of love in action) speaks to the needs of my wounded nation. His failings in his marital relations were sinful, as were those of Martin Luther King, whose effigy now graces a portal of Westminster Abbey: if one can't be a sinner and a saint both, a lot of us are in serious trouble! I voted for Douglass, but I hope to serve the nearby needy like faithful Dorcas.
Well said, John!
All said, 31% of the vote's not too bad for someone who "was dead for most of the time" of their biblical appearance.
I like her.
Although Dorcas has my vote (what a beautifully written colllect!), I cast it with a much greater appreciation for Douglas (I look forward to reading his autobiography).
I'm going with Dorcas. The idea of rising out of an impossible situation is appealing, although I suppose one could say FD did also, but he didn't do needlework.
I love them both but freedom for all wins over pretty vestments.
Another tough choice today--thought about this all morning and finally decided to go with Dorcas, a disciple of the early church whose work and faith has received so little attention as compared with Douglass and so many other faithful and inspiring saints who have followed (also don't want to break my oft times pattern of voting for the underdog).
Douglass today!
Douglass!
I thought Julia (9 yr old) would choose Douglass, but she surprised me by going for Dorcas. She felt that being raised from the dead was a more saintly thing to do. As I thought about the choice, I realized that Dorcas can be one of my exemplar saints--since I am retired, I spend a lot of time knitting socks and sweaters for children in extremely cold climates (and currently, for Syrian refugees). I am following Dorcas, and I didn't know it! Since one of the reasons for naming a saint is to point out examples of holy behavior and dedication, I think Dorcas has won this one, whether or not she gets the most votes.
I almost voted without reading. Dorcas has always been special to me.
This Rochesterian voted for Dorcas.
Altbough long a suppoter of Frederick Douglass, I decided to go with Dorcas today. No doubt she went about her days as many of us do -tending to the business of the day and attempting to remain faithful in the process. Maybe its my love for the underdog or the fact that I had a friend in my past actually named Dorcas-either way she is my sentimental favorite today. Girl power!
Dorcas. I have great respect for Frederick Douglass. And all saints have very human failings. Some of our most revered Church fathers were extremely misogynistic and anti-semitic.
2.27.2015 [Frederick Douglass]
holiness, difference
a personal connection
you taught, cared
and fought
for the change that
would bring changes
Blessings to you
and for us
in the wisdom
of your choosing.
Friday in 1Lent
———————————-
I wish I had written yesterday, about Bede, but I'm going to start to jump in.
I think if Dorcas is mentioned at all in the mainly man-centric Bible, then she must have been much more important than we will ever know. As one of the first disciples, when following Christ was a new and frightening act of faith, she has my vote.
Let me be the first to nominate Spock for next year's Lent Madness. Yes, I know he's not a saint, but...
RIP Spock.
Indeed. He brought much amusement and entertainment to the masses and for one half hour at a time helped us forget ourselves and enjoy other cultures and personalities. RIP Spock, you deserve it if anyone does.
Another difficult decision, but I'm going with the underdog (again). There's plenty of information about Frederick and the great things he did for the equality of all disenfranchised people. I was really glad to hear more about Dorcas and to reflect on those who "rise up from the impossible places in our lives, praising you and emboldened to continue the ministries to which you have called us."
Since I feel dead most of the time, myself, I have to cast a vote for Dorcas.
looks like the top seeds are dominating the first round.
I identify with Dorcas because on numerous occasions, when my life was in grave danger, God stepped in and snatched me back from the edge. I have loved and served God and God's people as best I could, but do not know why I have been so preserved. I am very grateful, and happy to continue my (much quieter) life as a retired clergy women. I vote for Dorcas, and hope to see her in Heaven.
Frederick Douglass. I never realized before how little we know about some of the people in the Bible. At least there were no ravenous seals. Being raised from the dead seems rather humdrum by comparison.
Frederick Douglass was a great, great man and one of the people I most admire in history. However, I somehow don't think he really fits into the theme of Lent Madness. Dorcas was of so respected that Peter traveled from another town just to see her body. Besides, how many times did Frederick Douglass rise from the dead? : )
Dorcas is a reminder that women's work is never done, but I had to go with Frederick Douglas because he has been neglected over the years. Hard choice.
I contually struggle in general with the fact that more recent saints tend to have more concrete facts and history, and thus votes are biased for them when pitted against more historical saints because "I don't believe half/any of that stuff about so-and-so, so I'm voting for the one with the FACTS!" I'm also struggling in particular with today's vote. I'm inclined to vote for Frederick Douglass, because with his social justice work he seems to have more 'action' for Christ in his life. However, is that true? Dorcas' actions of charity may not have been as broadly reaching geographically, but it was action nonetheless, and the people who knew her had enough admiration for it to get Peter to raise her from the dead, AND get her a rare, for women, mention in the bible. I'm going to have to think about it some more.
This was another amazing set of Saints. Not sure it was as difficult as some, but it did require some thoughtful prayer. I finally chose Frederick Douglass after reading about his desire to help African Americans and Women. Both did exceptional things, but that line really grabbed me. Thank you SEC for once again making Lent Madness think.
Hard not to vote for one of the first female disciples--but Douglass' passion for the gospel is incredibly compelling.
This was not a tough vote for me... Douglas it is.... I appreciate the small part that Dorcas had in scripture nevertheless, but my friends this is politics. There can be only one golden halo.... by the way, for whatever it matters, I am 8 and O.....
I had an extremely hard time with this vote. How can I possibly pick between one of my all-time favorite "spread the word" Christians and a woman who was one of the very people who actually helped start the earliest "churches" ? I finally picked one of the first who helped bring the marginalized into the family of God, something that Still needs to be done.