Today in Lent Madness action it's Rose of Lima vs. Zechariah for a shot at Irenaeus in the Elate Eight.
Yesterday, Philip, Deacon and Evangelist, proved greater than Gregory the Great 54% to 46% to advance to the next round.
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Rose of Lima
Rose of Lima was the first person born in the Western Hemisphere to be canonized a saint. Feeling called to serve as a nun from an early age, she encountered opposition from her family, who expected her to marry, as young girls from prominent families were expected to do.
Rose defied expectations. Labeled defiant by her father and others of the day, Rose refused to marry. Rose was afflicted by the expectations of her as a woman of the day, unable to have power over her life to choose her path. So she, in some way, found a way to empower herself to follow God through her afflictions.
Rose marred her own skin and cut her hair. She wore a silver crown of thorns on her head. She burned her hands as an act of mortification and ate a strict vegetarian diet. She slept 2-3 hours a night to spend as much time in prayer as possible. A quote attributed to her gives us some insight as to how she understood these self-imposed afflictions. “Without the struggle of afflictions, it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gift of grace increases as the struggle increases."
Rose’s choices to afflict herself, through our modern eyes, seem troubling. The saints of Rose’s day, including her beloved Catherine of Siena, understood suffering as a vital experience of faith. Christianity was not a casual affiliation, but an all-consuming embrace of Jesus, following him as closely as possible. Just as the cross was central to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the cross was central to Rose and her theology. Just as Christ suffered on the cross, so must she see suffering as holy. Rose stated, “Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”
Rose’s life of faith and embrace of suffering led to her reaching out to those who suffered unwillingly. She lived in a small enclosure on her family’s estate, and in her later years, brought those who were sick, hungry, and in need into her home to care for them. An avid gardener, she cultivated flowers and sold them, using the funds to provide food for the poor. Rose explained, “When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus.” Her model of care became the foundation for social services in Peru.
Rose lived a life of service to Jesus. She followed him, embracing suffering in a way that most of us find disconcerting. And her embrace of Christ in his suffering allowed her to devote her life to prayer and to care for Jesus in the least of these.
Rose died at 31. Her final words are reported to be, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, be with me always.”
Zechariah
Zechariah is a model of fidelity, both in the Christian tradition and beyond. Luke leaves no room for doubt – he tells us that Zechariah and Elizabeth “were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord” (Luke 1:7). They were also both aged and beyond their child bearing years. As such, they are akin to Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Elkanah and Hannah (among others).
Incredulity at the promise of a child in old age is not uncommon–just ask Abraham and Sarah, both of whom scoffed when an angel told them they would have a child. Asking for a sign, in general, is fairly common as well (again, see Abraham and Sarah, Gideon, and in the New Testament, the apostle Thomas). The humanity of Zechariah and his own struggle to trust in this story should give us all hope. Faith and faithfulness are messy sometimes.
Because Zechariah asked for a sign, the angel Gabriel made him deaf and mute.
(As an aside, some astute readers in round one asked why I suggested that Zechariah is both deaf and mute – the adjective used in 1:22 is ambiguous and can mean both deaf and mute, though the context perhaps suggests he was only mute. In 1:62, the crowd gathered for John’s birth made signs at Zechariah suggesting that he was also deaf. I leave it to the smart readers of this delightfully mad competition to decide for themselves the exact nature of his punishment.)
But let’s be real here, Zechariah, for this misstep (?), is punished with silence for NINE MONTHS. Gabe is a little petty and punitive if you ask me. And yet, at the end of this purgatory, Zechariah is faithful to God’s command, and indeed names the young baby John. At this point his tongue is freed, he is filled with the Holy Spirit, and he utters a prophecy that is still prayed to this day, the Benedictus (see Luke 1:68-79): “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.” Zechariah recounts the many promises of God and looks to the future where God will “give light to those who sit in darkness” and “guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Later Christian traditions recount how Zechariah resisted Herod the Great and was killed for protecting his son from the slaughter of the innocents. The story can be found in the Protoevangelium of James 22-24.
Finally, although this is a distinctly Christian competition, it should be noted that Zechariah is a prophet in the Muslim tradition as well. The story is a little different but we still see a faithful, elderly priest who wants a son so that he might train him in the ways of piety and submission to God. God grants his request and he becomes the father of John the Baptist. Zechariah is also described as a protector of Mary. According to some Muslim sources, Zechariah was killed by a mob after John the Baptist was beheaded. For more, see the Quran 3:35-41.
53 comments on “Rose of Lima vs. Zechariah”
Self torture just doesn't seem healthy.
My beautiful grandson is a “deaf mute” ; in addition he has other physical frailties for over 30 years. But his love of everyone he meets, his love of God/Jesus is a guidepost and an anchor for all who know him. He insists on three pictures framed on his bedroom wall - Jesus, Barack Obama, and Mickey Mouse!
'Faith and faithfulness are messy sometimes'. Yes!!!
I hate to walk away from the first american saint, but digging oneself an early grave through extreme self-mortification seems sinful. Anorexia and self-cutting are serious problems besetting usually women. Those behaviors should be addressed with skillful care and compassion. I appreciate Laurie Brock’s care-ful and compassionate effort to humanize Rose’s practices. I do respond to her gardening . I wish Rose had eaten and slept as well. She might have lived longer. She would have been able to pray more! As the sheriff says to the murderer in Fargo, Didja ever think of that, huh? I like David Creech’s choice of “fidelity” for Zechariah, in all its messiness. Nine months of silence during his wife’s pregnancy seems both faithful and practical! He only listened. And thanks to David for reminding us of Zechariah’s importance to Islam. I voted for Zechariah.
There is a bar and restaurant named for St. Rose, the St. Rose Tavern, serving Louisiana seafood. https://www.yelp.com/biz/st-rose-tavern-new-sarpy. Say a prayer to her whilst chomping on a fried shrimp poor-boy on a Friday in Lent.
Sancta Rosa, ora pro nobis.
Going with Zechariah because for his messy faithfulness -- and because I chanted his Benedictus in Morning Prayer just a few minutes ago. 🙂
Easy-peasy today. I'll take faithful Zechariah over self-mutilating Rose any day!
Rose did serve God by serving others, but I still disagree that self mutilation is a sacred act. Suffering as a result of serving God, or as a result of persecution for having served God is sacred. I imagine her short life was in part due to self mutilation. Imagine how much more service she could have done if she lived longer.
JOHN CABOT - we are missing your entries. 🙁
I'll keep trying to exercise my right to vote; those ominous white dots keep coming up today. But I'll just be joining the landslide for Zechariah, whose witness and words can inspire us all to hope and work for a "future where God will “give light to those who sit in darkness” and “guide our feet into the way of peace.” "
Very grateful for the prophet Cory of Newark this morning, as well.
PS Switched browsers from Chrome to Safari and my vote went through right away.
I love the fact that Rose tended both plants and souls. Imagine what grew and flourished under her care. But I am sorry that she felt the way to get closer to God was through self-inflicted pain and suffering. Our God is loving and just, and I’m sure is weeping for those who turn to mutilation and cutting for relief.
Zechariah has my vote today; his recognition in the three Abrahamaic faiths reminds us that our faith roots are very connected. Leaders shamefully encouraging the on-going discord in the Middle East would do well to become deaf and mute for nine months in order to reassess the situation by opening their eyes and seeing the destruction they have wrought in this sacred area.
Rose of Lima, love her quotes! Suffering, for me in many instances has strengthened my relationship with God! Self mutilation is troubling to me. What was her reasoning? Was there reasoning or was it mental illness? Was she so adverse to marriage because Rosa was not a heterosexual? Serving the poor and hungry, growing flowers to sell to purchase food for the marginalized speaks loudly to me; however, she seems troubled.
I am crazy for Zechariah! I relate to infertility. I celebrate that he is a profit in the Muslim tradition. I think of a Venn diagram and the overlap of the Christian religion and the Muslim religion having a commonality. Amen
Messy faithfulness! Love it
Vegetarian should always win
Zechariah got my vote today, and also in the previous round.
Thank you, Laurie Brock. You have helped me see saints like Rose in a whole new light. May I find the courage to make changes and sacrifices in my life so that my Christian belief becomes more than a “casual affiliation.”
In today’s world trust is an important issue in life not only in faith but in marriage, occupational choices, in one’s self. Had to go for a human who waivered for a time.
I appreciate David Creech's entry on Zechariah, which really opens up the significance of this overlooked figure.
I'm sorry for Rose - other comments make the good point that if she hadn't maltreated herself she might have been able to help more unfortunates... but it's a sympathetic write-up and Jesus certainly welcomed her. But I'm voting for Zechariah since we just read his story in Luke in Bible study. Thank you, David, for all the intriguing extra information!
Today we would call Rose of Lima mentally ill. Her attachment to Jesus a sickness. Her sickness is slimy, and we want to take a bath after being near her. No wonder her family put her outside. In a way I am repulsed by her. Why is she revered? So my vote is for Zechariah-- he is just stubborn and silly. Me! going to father a child. GIVE ME A BREAK. I know him.
Even the Baptists honor St. Rose. https://www.strosecc.org/about
Thoughts before tea:
- who sinned that this man was made mute? Luke & me (jumping up and down and pointing eagerly): "He did! He didn't trust God enough!" Gabriel (turning his fiery angel eyes my way, finger hovering over the mute button): "Mmm. I wonder who's next?"
- who sinned that this man was born blind? Jesus (sighing): "Noone. Let's find a better question, like what would actually be helpful here."
- who sinned that Rose felt called/compelled to self-harm (IMO)? Is it her 'sin', or that of people participating in unjust societal structures that left Rose feeling so trapped? What would actually be helpful here -- judgement or compassion, and which for whom? I dunno. The miracle anyways is the good she was able to accomplish for others, despite her constrained circumstances.
This was a no brainer for me. Go Zac.
I just couldn't handle the self-mutilation... suffering undertaken by necessity, yes, but not self-harm. So Rose leaves my brackets.
But on the positive side, as a "mature" (OK, old) person, I appreciate more each day the kind of choices and changes that Zechariah made and dealt with as models for the spirituality of aging.
I relate to Zechariah.
When I become silent I learn to listen better and trust God more.
Congratulations to Laurie Brock for directly taking on the issue St. Rose's self-mutilation and showing why it was a positive thing for Rose. When St. Francis stripped himself naked in the public square of Assisi so he could leave his father's house owing him nothing, I'm sure he was considered mentally ill. St. Joan of Arc heard voices. An appearance of madness is not uncommon as a part of the life of the saints. I think we do better not to judge, but to leave Rose's acts of devotion as a private affair between herself and her Lord. With all that praying, she must surely have heard if God was calling her to a different lifestyle.
Wow, I'm a bit surprised by Team Zechariah's strength. Still, my heart lies with Rose of Lima, despite her mental issues.
Zechariah gets my vote. I haven’t been able to vote for any Saint who harms themself. Suffering in order to get closer to Jesus? Does Jesus want that?
I confess that I wasn't overly inspired by this pairing. Whilst I appreciate the efforts to contextualise Rose of Lima I find myself wondering where and how Rose experienced life in all its fulness given her extreme self-mortification. However, I was beguiled by the wonderful writeup for Zechariah. Faith and faithfulness are indeed messy sometimes. And I loved the idea the Zechariah may have been deaf as well as mute. What a blessed nine months of silence for Elizabeth!
I was going to vote for Zechariah but then I ended up voting for Rose of Lima because she did help the sick, the hungry and those who were suffering in ways that were not self-imposed.