Our march to the Golden Halo continues as Sundhar Singh takes on Zenaida for a shot at the Elate Eight.
Yesterday, Zechariah proved a thorn to Rose of Lima, handily defeating her 65% to 35% to advance to the next round.
Also, kudos to the Lent Madness faithful for getting our new Instagram page up and over 500 followers in the past 24 hours! Well done. And if you still haven't joined the throngs, what are you waiting for??
But first, here's your Daily Saintly Showdown...
Vote now!
Sundhar Singh
In the scope of the history of Christian missionaries and saints, the ones that stand out for me are ones that unflinchingly forge a path that does not merely follow those of their human teachers, but tries to emulate Christ’s teachings in their own society, and Sundar Singh is a shining light in this field. In his early theological training, he struggled to connect with his fellow ministers, and eventually left college after eight months. His biographers relay that there was line drawn in the sand for him to put down his traditional sadhu’s robe and wear “respectable” European clerical dress. And this is, and least in part, why he is venerated today, because the calling of missionary work is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not a dress code.
Not only was Singh deeply convinced that the people of India would not hear the Gospel if the Good News came in clothes and traditions entirely foreign to them, he was also deeply critical of a shallowness that he saw in Western Christianity. In a conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, he is reported to have said, “There are many more people among us in India who lead a more spiritual life than in the West, although they do not know or confess Christ.” And he tells this simple story that illustrates his point: "While sitting on the bank of a river one day, I picked up a solid round stone from the water and broke it open. It was perfectly dry in spite of the fact that it had been immersed in water for centuries. The same is true of many people in the Western world. For centuries they have been surrounded by Christianity; they live immersed in the waters of its benefits. And yet it has not penetrated their hearts; they do not love it. The fault is not in Christianity, but in men's hearts, which have been hardened by materialism and intellectualism."
Singh is reported to have said early in his life, "I am not worthy to follow in the steps of my Lord, but, like Him, I want no home, no possessions. Like Him I will belong to the road, sharing the suffering of my people, eating with those who will give me shelter, and telling all men of the love of God.” He continued to live into this reality until his disappearance and death on the way to Tibet. He was fiercely passionate about his love for others, his conviction to follow Christ, and his belief that within each of us, we have the capability to be affected and changed by God’s love for this world; may we live into this truth this Lent.
Zenaida
Zenaida and her sister Philonella are honored with Hermione as the three first medical doctors in Christian tradition after St. Luke the Evangelist. While her sister Philonella was a dedicated scholar, legend has it that Zendaida was far more contemplative, weaving mysticism and monastic practices with her medical work. Zenaida became a regional spiritual leader, mentoring others who would plant monastic communities in the area. She cared deeply for children and welcomed many pediatric patients to their cavern-hospital.
Zenaida is also known for recognizing that mental health afflictions like deep depression have components of physical ailments - this, at a time when most believed mental health to be a purely spiritual matter. Her practice combined clinical medicine with prayer. It would take nearly two millenia for modern pharmaceutical technology to be developed -- she was clearly a forward-thinker! Modern day counselors turn to Zenaida for solidarity in prayer.
Her death is shrouded in mystery. Some say Zenaida died alongside her sister when they were stoned to death by a jealous mob; the more popular view is that she died before Philonella, leaving the ministry in her capable hands. Beware of a stomach-churning story: legend has it Zenaida stepped on a nail, then died upon removing it. Others claim she died peacefully in her sleep. Regardless, the Orthodox church names her as a martyr who suffered for Christ and received an incorruptible crown of glory from the Lord.
At her death, Zenaida’s disciples claimed that her final words were a prayer of peace for the world. We don’t know her exact words; but we can pray in the communion of saints with Zenaida for peace in the world today.
35 comments on “Sundhar Singh vs. Zenaida”
I'm hoping Sundhar Singh goes all the way to The Golden Halo!
Why was the ASL sign for 'loser' used in at the end of today's video? In disagreement, I changed my vote to Sundhar. We wish the Saintly 16 best of luck. They each quietly practiced grace and made the world a better place.
I applaud the efforts of Sindhar Singh as I have had similar experiences but I vote for Zenaida because the work and gifts of women have so often been neglected.
While I much admire Zenaida's realisation of mental health afflictions at a time when these were still demons that haunts someone who has been "sinfilled," at this time when some groups have returned to stating "Christianity" MUST be of that "old time religion" of White, anglosaxon, national and patriotic, my vote goes to St. Singh.
My prayful hope is that we who have "live(d) immersed in the waters of its benefits" do not find ourselves in that place where "And yet it has not penetrated their hearts; they do not love it. The fault is not in Christianity, but in men's hearts, which have been hardened by materialism and intellectualism."
This is an impossible choice.
I love Sundar because of his love and respect of the native people & customs of his homeland, his courage after rejection by his family, his honesty in calling out the dry, shallow heart of Western Christianity, his perseverance in literally walking in The Way of Jesus.
I love Zenaida for her faithfulness and courage in serving all who were in need of medical and spiritual help, for turning the economy of greed on its head and modeling a way forward for us. She makes it clear that women were and are essential in ministry.
“ At her death, Zenaida’s disciples claimed that her final words were a prayer of peace for the world. We don’t know her exact words; but we can pray in the communion of saints with Zenaida for peace in the world today.” Yes, pray for peace. Yes, provide access to health care that is comprehensive (including mental health) and affordable. Today, my vote is for Zenaida.
This was tough! They are both inspiring. As a pediatrician, though, I had to go with Zenaida.
I would be happy to see either progress, but today I cast my vote for Sundhar Singh, for his insight and clarity, and for the devastating summary of the malaise of western Christianity.
It's Sundhar Singh for me, rather than Zenaida. I loved Becca Kallo's line about Singh's refusal to wear conventional clergy apparel because"...the calling of missionary work is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not a dress code." I also agree with Sundhar Singh's belief that Western Christianity has been tainted by those who claim to practice it, which has resulted in such abominations as Christian Nationalism which has more to do with materialism and ignorance than materialism and intellectualism, and does not reflect the teachings of Our Lord at all!
A very difficult choice for me today. My niece and her husband are missionaries in India and we have talked about the importance of respecting the culture while doing their work. Having taught psychology, I am such an advocate for mental health, so this forward thinking woman speaks to my heart. I need to ponder this choice before voting!
I've copied and saved Singh's devastating takedown of Western Christianity -- maybe even more sadly true in our day than his. I'm thinking it will show up in a sermon one of these days...
A really tough choice but again, my vote was for the pediatrician!
Argh! Both of these saints are Golden Halo worthy and could have / should have been the final 2. This shows what is wrong with a bracket system: the people's overall 2nd favorite can be eliminated in an early round if they compete against the number 1 favorite. Elimination rounds with 3 or 4 contestants per round that leave 2 or 3 standing avoid this problem. Think "The Masked Singer".
I love Lent Madness and would never set up a competitor. But, just as an experiment, would anyone be interested in trying a Saintly Summer Square-off?
Silver Halo nomination for whoever loses this round!
"spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not a dress code". yes. As we're told to make our sermons "relevant to today". If the Gospel doesn't come in something familiar, then all made new, it's not reaching anyone.
This was indeed hard, sharing a message that would reach people on their own level or spiritual and physical healers
Great background
I admire Singh's commitment to evangelism.
Subdar Singh lived and died doing the Lord's work, as did Zanaida. But his work speaks to me more.
Zenaida grabbed my vote with her giving of health care and especially for her care of children. My whole life, my careers and my volunteer work has involved children.
Tucked in a book about Sadhu Sundar Singh, I found a letter dated June 3,1929 from my father to his family in the United States. In it he describes the visit of Sadhu Sundar Singh to their school in the northeastern corner of India and to their home for the evening meal and the night. My parents honored him all their lives.
Zenaida takes my vote today for several reasons
- spiritual leader who mentored others thereby furthering Christian thinking
- female doctor at a time when there weren't any, Christian or otherwise
- visionary who understood the physical component of mental health
Todays video with Sundar placing vestments in the closet looked too real!!
the "I am not a robot test asks more than I can deliver as I can't see well and the pictures are blurry. Frustrating! Folks are disabled sometimes when it's not eident.
I am voting before visiting a very ill sister-in-law and her devoted husband, my brother. Good and giving people on a sad journey need support and peace. (and aren't we all 'travelers' in this earthly plane?) I have never heard of Sundar Singh and am glad to meet him, however, Zenaida is the person I turn to today for healing of body, mind , and spirit.
Thank you to both Brilliant Bloggers today. I voted for Sundhar Singh, because he reminds me of so much of John the Baptist. He’s independent, forceful, fiercely forward-thinking in terms of linking fashion with evangelism. I am down for the saffron robes and leather belts. Both had a talent for ticking people off; apparently their humor slayed. And in the end, themselves. The river-rock story “convicts“ a brood of vipers. I suspect I might not immediately understand either man were I to meet him. But I believe in the vision that drives them.
I am all about Sundhar! An evangelist meeting
the people where they are in faith…. changing his clothes and speak of Jesus teaching the love Jesus has for ALL… sinners and saints! I wish I could visit him and talk with him…
I am also crazy about Zenaida! She was contemplative, weaving mysticism and mon as stic practices into her medical work! I wold also like to spend a weekend with her too!
Voting for Z today, though both are worthy. It’s that extra challenging time in Lent Madness!
Today I had to fall back on my policy for choosing between two equally worthy options — check the results and vote for the underdog.
As a long-time sufferer from depression, I had to vote for Zenaida. How many people centuries after her still believe depressed people are too self-centered or feel sorry for themselves or should “just get over it.”
This awesome I'm a Lectionary nerd and Love all things Lesser Feasts and Fasts and Saints.