Did you miss us? Well, we’re back for the first full week of Lent Madness action! Hopefully you survived the past 24 hours with no voting — we know it can be tough on the Lenten psyche.
One thing you may not know is that our Bracket Czar, Adam Thomas, wakes up early every morning to updated the online bracket. This is a great service to you, faithful voters, because he also posts links to all the previous battles. This will come in especially handy in subsequent rounds when you want to revisit those early rounds as you make an educated choice based on the all saintly write-ups.
In case you missed the news on Facebook or Twitter, Mechtild of Magdeburg easily swept past Isaac the Syrian on Saturday 77% to 23% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen. A few folks have lamented about the lack of close contests in the first round. This happens sometimes but…just wait.
John Wycliffe
“The morning star of the English Reformation,” John Wycliffe is best known for his translations of the Vulgate into Middle English and his attempts to reform church structures in England. A philosopher, theologian, professor, and translator, Wycliffe was condemned by the Council of Constance after his death—his bones were dug up and burned.
Born in England in the mid-1320s, Wycliffe centered his life and work at Oxford University—his intellectual home and frequently his physical address. He came of age during the Black Death, living through the upheaval caused by the plague. The dramatic changes caused by the Black Death prompted many cultural questions, and Wycliffe extended his questioning into theology and church organization. Wycliffe was drawn to the Platonist spirit of Augustine of Hippo—students frequently referred to him as “John of Augustine.” Under the influence of both Plato and Augustine, Wycliffe added his voice to a growing undercurrent in medieval theology that questioned the political power, the wealth, and control of the clergy embodied in the hierarchy based in Rome.
Contrary to popular belief, there was no official blanket ban on translating the scriptures into the languages of the common people. However, most of these texts either contained commentary clarifying Church teaching or were paraphrases written from the perspective of Church teaching. Wycliffe rejected any kind of clerical control and issued his new literal translation in order to separate the word of scripture from the Church’s interpretation of it. This position drew the wrath of church authorities and a condemnation by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Arundel.
Wycliffe protested the wealth and political power of the Church and advocated for a religious institution stripped of its wealth, lands, and titles that would be under the authority of the king and the nobles. Not surprisingly, theologically sympathetic, powerful nobles protected him from enemy clerics. Toward the end of his life, Wycliffe’s teachings against the conventional understanding of the sacraments, including the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the necessity of confession, turned many of his former political allies against him.
Collect for John Wycliffe
Stir up in us, O God, the zeal for your Word that inspired your servant John Wycliffe that we, like him, may boldly challenge stifling systems and cling to the promises of your power and presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Moses the Black
Moses the Black was born in Ethiopia around 330. As a young man he left Ethiopia for adventures in Egypt. A servant to a wealthy Egyptian landowner, Moses surreptitiously stole from his boss, lining his pockets with the profits. When the man discovered Moses’ perfidy, he expelled Moses from his house.
Moses, a large and formidable man, gathered around him other bandits. Together they robbed and harassed people living in the Egyptian countryside. As he was fleeing the authorities, he took refuge among monks in Sketes, a desert community outside of Alexandria. Inspired by their contented piety, Moses converted to Christianity and renounced violence and carousing.
Sometime later, when four robbers assaulted the monastery, Moses stood his ground and tied up the would-be thieves, bringing them to the brothers to ask advice about the robbers’ punishment. He suggested that it would not be very Christian to repay violence with violence. The robbers were so moved by the compassion of the monks that they joined the monastery. On another occasion, Moses was summoned to a council to pass judgment on a brother. Going to council reluctantly, Moses carried a leaking jug of water into the meeting. His brothers were perplexed; Moses replied that his sins follow behind him but he did not see them and yet he was coming to judge another. The brothers were moved by this gesture and forgave the offending monk.
Moses ultimately became abbot of a community in the desert, and despite enduring racist stereotyping, he was later ordained a priest. In 405 he was warned of marauding Berbers plotting to attack his monastery. Moses sent all but a few of the monks from the monastery, insisting that the building and the brothers would not respond to any attacks with violence. “Those that live by the sword die by the sword,” he reminded his brothers. He and the remaining cohort of monks welcomed the bandits with open arms and were killed.
In his recounting of the ancient church, historian Salminius Sozomen remarked of Moses, “No one else ever made such a change from evil to excellence.” Moses is a shining example of the transformative power of the gospel and is the patron saint of nonviolence.
Collect for Moses the Black
Almighty God, whose blessed Son guides our footsteps in the way of peace: Deliver us from paths of hatred and violence, that we, following the example of your servant Moses, may serve you with singleness of heart and attain to the tranquility of the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
John Wycliffe vs. Moses the Black
- Moses the Black (65%, 5,760 Votes)
- John Wycliffe (35%, 3,136 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,896
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First comment!
I voted for Moses the Black because he reminded me of the bishop in Les Miserables
Me too!
fun!
I actually preached on the bishop and Jean Valjean on Sunday. The Bishop is a figure understanding God’s forgiveness.
me tooooo!!!!
I just HAD to vote for Moses; one reason because, like many others here, he reminded me of Jean ValJean in Les Miserables. He truly had walked in the shoes of those robbers…I like, too, that he reformed his life so completely; almost a resurrection, of sorts, from the darkness of evildoing to the light of new life. One thing, too, I didn’t care for about Wycliffe, (while I did admire him doing his own thing and sanding up to the church authorities) was that he didn’t believe in the true presence in Holy Communion, and I do, very much so. Yay! Moses won!!!
Yes, my vote followed a similar principle.
My yay for Moses and your comments I share also.
I always seem to vote with the majority unintentionally. #MartinLuther4DaWin
I also vote for Moses the Black.
First vote of the day’s bracket. Go, Moses!
Happy birthday, Oliver. Are you older and wiser? Have a great day.
I vote for Moses the black because he was a thief and became good and that is cool
I really confused are you the Oliver from last year?
Yes. I was eight last year and nine this year. Hi Sarah!!
Happy Birthday, Oliver… and I voted for Moses for the same reason
I voted for Moses. People CAN change.❤
Happy every day Oliver. You have a LOT of friends out here in Lent Madness land who look forward to your wisdom every year. Hope you’re enjoying school too. What grade?
Perfect answer, Oliver. I’m leaning in the very same direction. And I do love that Moses is the patron saint of non-violence.
Am getting to this late (very) today – was worried not to find you at the top of the comments, Oliver. Glad that you are with us this year as I’ve enjoyed your wisdom. I have often shared your opinions and now, it seems, I share your birthday! May you have a fantabulous day and many more.
Happy birthday, Oliver! I look forward to your wisdom every day. You have an old soul, like my daughter, and are wise beyond your years. Have an awesome day!
Happy birthday, Oliver! I look forward to your wisdom every day. You have an old soul, like my daughter, and are wise beyond your years. Have an awesome day!
I had a very tough time deciding who to vote for today. Moses the Black was a great man and much to be honored, but our faith would not be where it is today without Wycliffe’s translation of the Vulgate. So I had to give him my vote.
That’s why I voted for Wycliffe, too, but it was a difficult decision.
Hi Oliver!
So glad that you are participating this year! I am so glad to be able to read your comments this Lent! Happy Lent!
Yes, very cool!
Good reasons, Oliver. Keep on thinking and responding!
Second Comment!
Torn between Wcyliffe whose zeal and scholarship gave so much to modern Christianity and Moses whose leaking jug of water was a symbol of his sins that followed behind him which he did not see. A very interesting way to invoke Jesus’ saying “let him who is without sin cast the first stone”
First time posting here…I totally agree with you Cheri. Although Wycliffe was doing/did good work “telling the Church the truth”, I felt the reincarnation of Moses to a non-violent person is what Lent is truly about!
Fran N
I also agonized between the two, but finally the appeal of Moses’ redemption and conversion to non-violence and forgiveness won out. Well done, Wycliffe!! But I voted for Moses. (The choices are always tough! Oy.)
I voted for Moses the Black because of his example of non-violence, and his amazing journey from change “from evil to excellence”. Also his conversion while sheltering with the monks in Skete reminded me a little of the plot of the movie _Witness_.
That is a very good analogy. You may have swayed my vote!
For maintaining belief in the Real Presence and translating the Bible outside of the church’s influence. For “may boldly challenge stifling systems” in the collect. I vote for Wycliffe.
John Wycliffe is a great hero, but our times ache now for Moses the Black. I’m so grateful for this reminder that the only response to evil that changes hearts is that of non-violence. I rooted for him last time he was part of Lent Madness. This year: Moses for the win!
Totally agree. I thought Wycliffe would be a slam-dunk, but when I read Moses’s story I thought: we need people to know about him and his example. For personal transformation, Moses wins the day. I voted for Moses.
Exactly my thought. I voted for John Wycliffe, because without him we might still struggle under the yoke of a corrupt system BUT…
My heart ached as soon as I tapped that dot for the redemption and reconciliation God offers us all as shown in Moses the Black.
Today was a real tough one on a personal level.
I voted for Moses the Black because of his example of non-violence, and his amazing journey “from evil to excellence”. Also his conversion while sheltering with the monks in Skete reminded me a little of the plot of the movie _Witness_.
Sorry for the double post. The website timed out the first time, and I thought it hadn’t gone through. I do hope my vote was only counted once. SEC, please investigate and correct as necessary!
Tough round! I finally gave Wycliffe my vote because his translations may have added Tex more people than Moses’s brave compassion. x
Should read “affected more people”
Very good point, Wycliffe reached so many people with his translation into the common tongue.
Wow – Wycliffe is a heavyweight, but reading Moses the Black’s bio, I realize he knows how to fight. I’m going to go with Moses, because Wycliffe takes the first swing, which sure looks like a knockout, but Moses deftly avoids the punch, ties him up, and takes him to the monks for a heavy dose of gospel forgiveness. That always wins.
Wycliffe was a translator, and I am as well. That’s the main factor that prompted my vote.
I don’t share any admiration of Augustine of Hippo, but Wycliffe’s antipathy toward the organization dynamics of “The Church” are understandable, particularly in eras where those dynamics moved away from the core teachings, balanced things out for me. .
Me too!
Sorry that me too was to someone else but also me too to you about the Augustine of Hippo comment….. really not a fan. 🙂
So not thrilled with the Hippo man, I am but love the guy who went up against the established authorities. Bet he would have worn a safety pin.
I’m with you! Wycliffe for me; however, another tough choice.
Translating the Bible into the vernacular what a great gift. However, Wycliffe lost me at “Wycliffe’s teachings against the conventional understanding of the sacraments, including the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the necessity of confession”. I’d need to know more about those teachings in order to support him.
That immediately turned me against him, Chris. I disagree with that completely — and I am not a fan of A of Hippo, either. Moses the Black, patron saint of nonviolence!
Wycliffe was opposed to the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, as well as the Roman teaching that confession of sin to a priest is necessary for the absolution of sins–both of which are condemned by the texts Wycliffe spent so much of his time translating.
We get to vote for the two Augustines later in the first round.
One I give a black miter to; the other gets white!
I voted for Wycliffe. Reading in the vernacular, without someone else’s thoughts, is a blessing. Can you tell I like to do Lectio?
Moses the Black also gets a white hat. One thing we all need at this point in the evolution of spirituality is COURAGE. And Moses exhibited that.
Tough first rounds. — Despite the lopsided outcomes!
I chose Wycliffe, even though I love how the story of Moses the Black, but I have to go with Wycliffe, because he translated the Bible outside of the church, and he was a very brilliant man.
I agree, Sarah Rose! I discovered John Wycliffe when I was about your age, and I read Anya Seton’s “Katherine”–all about 14th century England. Anyone who “came of age” during the time of the Black Death, translated the Bible into English, AND stood up to the very, very powerful Roman Catholic Church of that day is a worthy saint indeed!
Glad you’re participating and commenting here, Sarah Rose! You make a great point about Wycliffe, but I am impressed by the personal courage Moses must have had.
I agree with Glenn Horton-Smith. And the leaking jug of water compared to our past sins..
I voted for Wycliffe since his efforts were for the church universal. He was a little before his time probably. Also, they dug him up and burned him at the stake so to speak after death. So you know he had to be impacting someone’s bottom line!
I chose Wycliffe, even though I love how the story of Moses the Black, but I have to go with Wycliffe, because he translated the Bible, and he was a very brilliant man.
Moses the Black because I love a conversion story.
Wycliffe has real history behind him, while Moses feels like legend. Besides, I am a bit of a Lollard at heart.
Me too, Carolyn. A Lollard, I mean. And yes, Moses does feel more like a legend, whereas Wycliffe isn’t at all! He is ultimately responsible for the Protestant revolution in England.
Moses – in honor of the Christians in North Africa about whom we don’t often hear much but who are being persecuted.
This one was hard, but the devotion to non-violence of Moses the Black and the fact that two of my sons are from Ethiopia gave my vote to Moses!
Really tough decision. I must think on this and vote later.
For Wycliffe who made the Bible more accessible by translating into everyday English. Moses was tempting, but who knows how accurate his history is? Lots of it could be folk lore with hype!
Various commentators in this contest seem to think that the story of Moses is suspect simply because it’s older than Wycliffe’s story. But no one questions Julius Caesar, and he’s even more ancient than Moses.
I voted for Moses the Black partially because Ihave the opportunity to visit Egypt and meet some Orthodox monks two years ago, and partially because he was the first subject of my Dunker Punks in History articles on dunkerpunks.com.
https://dunkerpunks.com/2015/08/28/from-murderer-to-patron-saint-of-nonviolence/
I know it’s not celebrity blogger material, but I’m working at it.
The Ethiopian Xian church is sui generis; it has evolved separately from the rest of Xendom. For that reason alone an adherent would be worthy of consideration. However, Moses seems actually to be part of the Egyptian tradition. Plus I always find myself balking at these violent men (I’m looking at you, Columba) who repent and become saints. While inspiring in schematic terms, I’m never quite convinced of the historical accuracy. Which leaves me turning to the more modern figure, who did genuinely challenge the norms and status quo of his time. Wycliffe is an essential figure in English Reformation history. Translating the Bible into vernacular English was a revolutionary act. (Luther translated the Bible into vernacular German.) Derek Olsen’s collect speaks of “zeal” and “boldly challenging stifling systems,” qualities and actions we are sorely in need of now. My diocese posted a “statement of resolve” after the 2016 presidential election, and it solemnly reminded us of those overriding Xian values. I herewith commend it to you: http://www.diocese-oregon.org/election-statement/. I have cast my vote for John Wycliffe.
Brilliant, as always! I also voted for Wycliffe for the same reasons you so eloquently expressed.
Well said. Had I read this before voting for Moses, John Wycliffe would have had my vote.
Celia, you expressed doubts about the repentance of Columba and Moses. Why is it easier to believe that these men remained violent than to believe that they were touched by the Holy Spirit and repented? That’s what the Gospel is all about.
As for “stifling systems”, Wycliffe wanted to put the Church under the authority of the king and nobles, a form of church government which has no warrant in scripture. Interference by the king is no better than interference by the pope.
A good point. Yes – the overlordship of a king is no better than the overlordship of a pope. I, too, love the examples that Moses the Black gave. However, for his great importance to the history of Christianity, I had to go with John Wycliff.
Harlie, you ask a very important question and one that, I think, gets at the heart of our faith. I saw your question earlier and gave myself several hours to ponder it. As a Christian I believe that people can change, and I am aware that the “fortunate fall” is at the core of our tradition. It’s not just Moses and Columba, but it’s Augustine and Paul. And indeed, it’s Adam and Eve. People fall into error, even commit great crimes, and repent. That potential should be honored. Here we are in Lent, trying to amend and purify our own lives. So I take that theme seriously. Perhaps I could be more “forgiving” of some of these stories of conversion; some I find “typed,” hard to connect with. I have before me the moment Augustine broke with his longstanding mistress: “The woman with whom I had been living was torn from my side as an obstacle to my marriage and this was a blow which crushed my heart to bleeding, because I loved her dearly.” I don’t know the original Latin, so I don’t know if he wrote this in the passive voice. But I see in this “confession” a refusal to take responsibility, so I distrust Augustine a bit, even if he is touched by deep emotion. I tend to read Wycliffe backwards through a Lutheran lens, as fighting for the freedom of the individual Xian rather than giving power to the king, per se. But truly I don’t know Wycliffe’s motivations. Short answer: Yes, response to the holy spirit is always key. For me, sifting through these stories often involves finding some poetry in the experience that takes it deeper. That is subjective. I like to think of each of these little “contests” as opportunities for me to feel my own tiny conversion experience; that is, in what way can I “turn” in response to something in these individuals’ experiences (some of these “people” being in the end possibly apocryphal)? I try to expand my sense of saintliness and perhaps find a model I hadn’t thought of that I can possibly taste in the coming church seasons until next Lent. I hope that gives you a thoughtful answer.
That is , indeed, a thoughtful answer. Thank you, Celia.
I vote for Moses
Modes the Black. I voted for him last time he was in Lent Madness, and I will happily vote for him again. His transformation and witness, even unto death, are hallmarks of saainth [d.
From evil to excellence! What hope that description of Moses the Black gives me for my son, Adam, as he makes his first steps away from the criminal mindset toward embracing the mind of Christ.
A tough call, as usual. I was leaning toward Wycliffe, but I couldn’t get around his idea of stripping the Church of its autonomy and putting it under the control of the king and nobles. In the end I voted for Moses the Black.k
Same here!
Hallmarks of sainthood. (Couldn’t see the last words since the form covered them over.) Weird voting on my phone
I found Wycliffe a prig in Sunday school sixty years ago. He has not grown on me in the interim. So I voted against him.
I voted for Wycliff. Being burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English! Brave man!
Actually, Wycliffe died of a stroke. They dug up his bones and burned them, not him.
Oops! I mixed Wycliffe up with Tyndall!
They dug up his bones and burned them?! Holy smoke!
And wholly smoke (and mirrors).
I like to think of Wycliffe looking down and muttering “Well, if it makes you feel better, you mangy lot…”
[me laughing loud enough to wake the cats]
Ha ha! That smoke was holier than incense!
As the collector/owner of more than 50 Bible translations,commentaries,and special focus Bibles, it would have been very hard for me to not vote for John Wycliff. Moses the Black made it extremely hard.
A somewhat difficult choice, but I feel I must go with Moses the Black for his consistency in forgiveness, and his equal persistence in standing for non-violence,
I’ve tried to vote twice but both timed out. Don’t know if either recorded but am giving up today. Voted (maybe) for Moses who indeed was a saint.
Moses the Black!!! Who doesn’t love a good conversion story?
Vote for me!
I’m sorry, John, but I voted for Moses. I must say, though, your work of translating the scriptures into English was invaluable. Maybe the three of us could get together for a drink sometime!
When I reach an impasse, such as this challenge of two very deserving and outstanding persons of faith, I resort to Excel, random number generator, and compute a mean value from a long column of random numbers to resolve the vote. John was even, so the odd number in the computation, defined Moses. It is perplexing, because this is the 500th anniversary of the reformation, and John Wycliffe was a big reformer. Almost tempted to vote twice, but I will refrain. Perhaps there will be a tie.
I voted for John Wycliffe because my name is Jon too. – Jonathan (age 5)
Hi, Jonathan — Welcome to Lent Madness –it’s terrific that young people are interested in this contest!
Welcome, Jon!
Glad you’re participating and commenting here, Sarah Rose! You make a great point about Wycliffe, but I am impressed by the personal courage Moses must have had.
Glad to have you here, Jon.
I voted for Moses the Black. You should too!!!!!
I feel he is a saint for our times, turning away from violence, living out ways to forgive and transform others. We need such models, beyond our recovery and re-entry programs.
I don’t think Wycliff was burned at the stake.
He wasn’t. He died of a stroke. His bones were dug up and burned later. I guess that made someone feel better.
For John Wycliffe and Moses the Black
I love to tell the stories of saintly folks belov’d
Like holy scholar Wycliffe,
who knew the Church had erred.
He saw that wealth and power
And mind control were wrong.
Translated holy scripture
And fought his whole life long.
I love to tell the stories
Of folks beloved in Glory
Whose lives reveal some more of
God’s Holy Triune Love.
I love to tell the stories of folks who got it wrong.
They then discovered Jesus
And sang a whole new song.
St. Moses was a bandit
But Jesus showed the way.
Peacemaking then his watchword
Until his dying day.
I love to tell the stories
Of folks beloved in Glory
Whose lives reveal some more of
God’s Holy Triune Love.
How can we chose a saint today between these two strong men?
One fought with wit and wisdom
Against a church gone wrong.
One fought against the violence
Within his heart and soul.
And gave his life for loving
The Truth he’d come to know.
I love to tell the stories
Of folks beloved in Glory
Whose lives reveal some more of
God’s Holy Triune Love.
(Tune: I love to tell the story – revealing my Methodist background with gratitude.)
Wonderful. Thank you.
Wonderful,
Hey Adelaide! Lent Madness all the way! Oh and Moses the Black gets my vote today. I am dismayed to read that he also had to deal with racist stereotypes. But he died a martyr for the Christian cause.
Thank you for the poem!
Very nice, Diana. I’m not familiar with the hymn, but I found it on YouTube and was able to sing along with your relevant lyrics. But I’m still not sure who to vote for!
You must be a fellow biblical storyteller? We in the Network of Biblical Storytellers Int’l also sing new verses composed by teller Dennis Dewey!
If not, check out nbsint.org.
Delightful lyrics to an old favorite. I am in awe of such wit and wisdom, and skill in versification. Thank you.
Love it!!
Awesome!
I look forward to your creative lyrics, Diana.
LOVE the lyrics.
Diana, as soon as the SEC announced there was a nun writing hymns I knew it had to be you!
Well done, from two of your truest fans.
Another tough choice! Although it’s always hard for this writer to vote against writers, Moses for me because his example of nonviolence rings so deeply.
You are very talented. I grew up Seventh Day Adventist and know the hymn well!!
I had heard the leaking story and have always loved it. This is why I voted for Moses, but resurrecting Wycliffe’s bones to burn them was a close second.
I think I actually got this reply on the wrong post. sorry. I liked both of these choices!!
Such a tough decision! Who cannot appreciate Wycliffe, a man who so disdained authority that said authorities had his bones dug up and burned, who understood language, all languages, are foundational to equality? In the end I voted for Moses. Not only is he the patron saint of non-violence, but he proves that we are not always what we start out to be.
I voted for Moses because he was chased down and was so kind and compassionate for others that I had to vote for him.
As a reader of the Bible and a speaker of English, I’m voting for John Wycliff who gave the scriptures to his people in a pure form, uncontaminated by current church doctrine. Moses’ story is compelling, and were he up against any other saint, I would have happily voted for him.
If influence on future generations is a criterion, it is hard to deny the strength of Wycliffe as a contender for the crown.
The desert abbas and ammas have been an influence on my faith. I love their simplicity and their depth of wisdom. Moses’ story of transformation, of selflessness and nonviolence is so winsome! Moses for the Golden Halo!
Someone worked overtime to pit these two against each other, but I had to vote for Wycliffe. Also…a big shout out to the Bracket Czar for getting up early and updating the bracket.
Another tough choice. Wycliffe definitely has influenced more people through the ages with his dedicated work -under the duress of the institutional church. Moses the Black is an impressive inspirational story. I think I have to go with John Wycliffe this time, reluctant to leave Moses behind.
The difficulty in this choice has more to do with two people who stood up in the face of tremendous opposition than in the differences of their choices in how to follow Jesus. We often think of the Reformation and the beginnings of Protestantism as beginning with Martin Luther in the 16th century. But as Wycliffe shows, rumblings began long before and Wycliffe believed that every person should be able to read Scripture in his own language. While there may have been flaws in the translation at the time, his intent was to put the Bible in the hands of ordinary people. The fact that the powers that be couldn’t accept that he was already dead shows the paranoia of the times believing that even the dead can still speak, not to mention the followers of Wycliffe who might honor his relics. Moses was an entirely different kind of prophet. To some extent he reminds me of Andrew (Peter’s brother) who brought others to Jesus. Both Moses and Andrew did this by living the Gospel rather than preaching the Gospel. Even Moses’ conversion was the result of the monks showing there was a better way. We have had many examples throughout history of people who, through non-violence, showed the better path. I had never heard of Moses the Black before this, but I am delighted that I have gotten to know him a little. I cannot begin to know what he felt and how his past experiences formed his life, but I can respect his commitment, once made, to live as Jesus showed.
If they burned Wycliff’s bones to keep the dead from speaking…it didn’t work.
Ha. Good point sister
I voted for Moses because of his commitment later in life for non-violence and restorative justice.
Crisis. I tried to vote, and my pc froze. I don’t know if it registered or not, so mindful of the dire warnings of the SEC, I dare not try again. My intention was to vote for Moses the Black, in honour of a wonderful Coptic Christian who taught me Patristics and introduced me to the stories of the Desert Fathers. I have always found the story fo the leaking water jar moving.
If you still see the vote button on the same computer your vote wasn’t registered as from what has been posted previously this Madness, by either Tim or Scott, the system won’t let you vote twice from the same computer/smart phone.
John Wycliffe, a man way before his time.
cannot imagine where Protestant thinking and theology would be, without the courage of Wycliffe, and his willingness to live the truth he learned in those translations. thanks be to God, for all who give up home, comfort and country for the sake of the Gospel.
This was one of the toughest votes yet, but I chose Moses because of his excellent example that change is always possible and violence is not the answer; Wycliffe is also truly admirable and an example of how far the Church has come since his time. But I will stand with my Ethiopian Christian brethren (The Armenian Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox church have been in communion since their founding in the the early days of Christianity) abnd vote Moses!
Went with Wycliff. Translating Bible into common languages higher impact world wide.
Have to agree with you there! What a HUGE difference having Scripture in your own language has made to millions. But Moses the Black was indeed very inspiring.
Go Moses!
Happy Double-Digit Day Oliver! Glad to see you back with us!
I voted for Moses the Black because his message contained elements of what I think real Christianity is about – love, not legalisms.
This is similar to the events that took place in the movie “Of Gods and Men” re attack on monks in Algeria in 1998 – true story. Great movie.
Valerie,
I second your recommendation of “Of God’s and Men”
The dilemma presented with the monks certainly parallels that of Moses [the Ethiopian] but the film offers no easy answers. (The question, in other words is, “Should I stay or should I go?”)
Can this get any harder? I chose Moses because he was so self-sacrificing, but my heart is breaking to burn the great translator yet again.
I never knew what a Berber was until I heard mention of it last week on the new PBS special series on Africa: Great Civilizations.
Still learning something new each day … thank you Lent Madness !!
Patron Saint of Non-Violence.
I ended up voting for John Wycliffe, mainly because I suspected that he was turning out to be the underdog, but it was very, very hard.
I love Moses the most, but Wycliff spoke out against the political power, the wealth, and control of the clergy and that gets my vote.
Happy Birthday, Oliver!
I had to vote for Wycliffe. He was not a nice person ( ! ) but his faith and writing have changed history.
Both more than deserve the halos they already have (standard issue?) but the stories about Moses the Black are just too cool!
I’m astonished that so far 39% of respondents are voting for someone who denied the Real Presence in the Eucharist…. but maybe that is because I am Lutheran. In any case, both men are dedicated to living by their principles.
One of the reasons I couldn’t vote for Wycliffe!
Wycliffe opposed physical presence, not real presence. The latter was not an issue for the reformers, but transubstantiation was.
My sentiments exactly but you lost me in the 2nd paragraph. Plz explain.
I’ll try, though my explanation might vary from what Barbara might say. As I understand it Transsubstantiation means the bread literally becomes the flesh of Christ and ceases to be bread and the wine literally becomes His blood and ceases to be wine.
Then there is Consubstantiation (I hear this is popular among Lutherans) in which the bread spiritually becomes His flesh while still staying physically bread (though it is hard for some to consider those thin cracker-like communion wafers to be real bread in the first place) and the wine spiritually becomes His blood while physically staying wine.
And that is what I as a lay Episcopalian have picked up over the years. I’m sure one of the M.Div.s around here could explain more &/or darn any holes in my explanation.
I think that it’s too bad this was not explained properly in the bio. His quarrel was with Transubstantiation, not the Real Prescence.
Wycliffe taught against the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He lost my vote there.
This is not fair to post these two together so early in the game. I was all set to vote for Wycliffe because of his courage in bringing the Bible to the people, but Moses’ conversion and compassion touched my heart, particularly when I don’t always fell compassion in these times.
Wycliffe may have translated written testaments, but Moses became a “living testament”! I cast my vote for Moses!
All-in for Moses the Black! Story of nonviolence, transformation. From an early life of leading a band of robbers, to conversion, to ending his life by resisting violence: “In 405 he was warned of marauding Berbers plotting to attack his monastery. Moses sent all but a few of the monks from the monastery, insisting that the building and the brothers would not respond to any attacks with violence. “Those that live by the sword die by the sword,” he reminded his brothers. He and the remaining cohort of monks welcomed the bandits with open arms and were killed.
In his recounting of the ancient church, historian Salminius Sozomen remarked of Moses, “No one else ever made such a change from evil to excellence.” Moses is a shining example of the transformative power of the gospel and is the patron saint of nonviolence.:
Patron Saint of nonviolence. I believe that we may have a Lent Madness dark horse.
Moses gets my vote because of he showed us how to be redeemed.
It was a very hard choice! As much as I admire John Wycliffe for standing up to corrupt church officials, I had to go with Moses the Black for his non-violence, something needed badly now in the world!
Dear Lent Madness friends,
In the department of things I never thought we’d have to worry about, a few different people are posing as Oliver, our friend some years past. We have tried to find the fakes ones, and we have deleted the comments. We’ll continue to try to catch them. Sorry about the confusion, and I am sorry that some people have nothing better to do.
To the real Oliver, thank you for playing.
Peace,
Scott Gunn
Oh dear! Fake Olivers?! Is nothing sacred?
Some Oliver did not have the gentle wisdom that has been a hallmark of his comments. It goes to prove that one cannot be less than honest to a child and escape unscathed. Oliver, stick with telling the truth as you see it. We may not always agree, but we will listen.
Scott, thanks for keeping vigilant and for keeping standards high.
Oy veh! Thanks for that bit of detective work, Scott and your compadres on the SEC.
Boy, this is the first one that’s not a slam dunk for me. Wycliffe is important to the history of the church, but Moses is an excellent example of the Christian ideal. Having written that, I realize I must go with Moses the Black.
Standing proud for my seminary – Wycliffe College, Toronto! Also his love for scripture and reforming spirit!
Thank you Bracket Czar for rising early so we may be nourished by your wisdom!! I voted for Wycliffe as he challenged the system… did things his own way! Kind of like our current administration.
St Celia makes a solid argument for the possible apocryphal nature of Moses’ conversion story; however, the idea of our sins “leaking” behind us, unseen, will stick with me as I pray for God to create a clean heart in me this Lenten season. Moses it is.
A tough choice. Moses is a nice story and points out so many ways to act; however, Wycliffe stood up to the status quo and impacted many people during his lifetime. My vote goes to Wycliffe.
Hard choice. Wycliffe kept writing despite threats and opposition. He gave us the vernacular as well as wisdom about authority. My vote is with his life-long endeavor to awaken England to true faith.
This was the toughest one of the season so far. I’m going with Wycliffee as a serious reformer and proponent of letting people find the voice of God through the Bible for themselves. I hate to vote against a saint of nonviolence, but impact wise, I think John W holds the upper hand.
Speaking truth to power seems a very current and important message to me right now. Wycliffe!
In todays world of violence and war we need Moses to help us remember we are al Go’s children and are called to care for each other.
Lets go Moses!!!!!
I would have voted for Wycliffe, but I was disturbed to see that he would have put the church under the auspices of the king and nobility. That’s not any better than the church’s own hierarchy!
So I will thank John for his work and vote for Moses and his sins!
I voted for Moses the Black because He was once a thief but was moved by the piety of the monks and changed his heart also my friend did a project on him
Moses the Black is among my very favorite of the Desert Christians, so he gets my vote.
I voted for Moses the Black because I did a project on him.
These choices are tough. All pious men.
I was all in for Wycliffe but in the end it became all about non violence so I voted for Moses the Black. Challenging choice though which is what I like.
Same here. I thought this match-up would be a one with a close finish but I see that Moses is running away with the win. I appreciated learning about him for the first time today.
My vote goes to Moses. We so need followers of violence to become followers of the love of Christ, or, at the very least, followers of love. I also am a sucker for stories about monks and monasteries, having just finished “The Beautiful Mystery” by Louise Penny. Moses represents a beautiful mystery, for sure.
I think I’ve read that Louise Penny book too. Set in a remote Canadian monastery and involving Gregorian chant, if I recall correctly. Beautiful book.
MOSES THE BLACK FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Tough choice today. In the end I voted for Moses because of his embrace of the Christ-like way of nonviolence–also put into practice by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is also a saint in my book. We urgently need to adopt this way today.
How can one *not* vote for the Morning Star of the Reformation!?
Easy, my real and Facebook friend. Moses gives us a powerful witness of nonviolence. Wycliffe’s wanting to put the church under the kings did it for me.
A number of years ago I heard a talk by a Wycliffe society translator. She and her family had lived 19 years in New Guinea learning an indigenous language so they could translate the Bible and bring the word of God to those people. There are Wycliffe translators all over the world still spending their lives in remote cultures for the purpose of carrying on Wycliffe’s work and bringing the story of God’s love and redemption to people who had never heard it. I was amazed and humbled by the commitment and sacrifice. For his ongoing influence in bringing Gods love to those people, I voted for Wycliffe.
Agreed. One of my aunts has been with WBT in a supporting role for almost 4 decades, first in Central America and then in Texas, so I’m most familiar with Wycliffe Americas, but as a child I learned much about people groups all over the globe from reading the WBT newsletter that came regularly in the mail as well as waiting for those thin-paper envelopes labeled “Air Mail” and containing the latest letter from my aunt, back in those pre-email days.
I had to read the comments to decide. I am voting for Moses. He recognized what was wrong with himself and changed it. If we all did that, much that is wrong in our church would take care of itself. The image of the leaking jug of sins falling unseen behind us will stay with me.
Wycliffe was a brave man of his time..and did well to translate for the people …BUT Moses is needed today as a patron of non violence and peace..the collect in his honor is one to read..daily.
If those of us who love…..OK, who are obsessed with LENT MADNESS, and emulate the lives of Moses the Black and his followers, maybe we can be models of peace and non-violence in a world seemingly run amok with violent language and behavior. Being actively involved in peacemaking efforts as well as contemplating the writings of scholars like Wycliffe are both meaningful ways to observe Lent.
I’m for the brave and brainy man; those nasty people who somehow change are not reliable. Wycliffe is, through thick and thin.
Moses died for the sake of peace. That seems reliable to me.
I vote for John Wycliffe, because the translation of the Bible into language that can be understood by the reader/hearer is so critically important to the life of the Church as the Body of Christ. We join him as translators every time we prepare a sermon or counsel a suffering soul.
I voted for Wycliffe for the same reason, plus I have a special spot in my heart for translators…
Both personal transformation and effective organizational structure are necessary for social change. As an example of what we need right now, these two are equally wonderful. I chose Moses though, because he speaks directly to what I need personally right now to effectively stand up to what is happening politically.
As a biblical storyteller, a performer of the text itself, I really should vote for Wycliffe. But in the current political climate, we need to lift up men such as Moses.
We need the example of Moses the Black. Our world needs his example of nonviolence!
My vote for Wycliffe reflects my experience with God’s spirit. Moses was a saint martyr for his people. His life is an outstanding dramatic example of Christian response to immediate crises. I, like many, live in a day-by-day need for guidance. Wycliffe provided that for my forebears, that led to my present life in Grace.
Check out the following for the actual truth: http://catholicexchange.com/the-untold-story-of-how-catholics-first-translated-scripture-into-english
One of the smaller campaigns of my liturgical life is to change the designation in our Calendar from “Moses the Black” to “Moses the Ethiopian.” The former title can leave the impression that Black saints are such a rarity that their complexion causes them to stand out in the great communion. The latter is more in keeping with the way we designate others, e.g. “Hildegard of Bingen.”
Good point, Paula.
I was touched by both of these, but I had to vote for the one who reached out to people, human beings in need of love and compassion, versus institutions which, with a few notable exceptions, no one individual can change. And so I went with Moses.
I came ready to vote for Wycliffe, whom I know of and admired. I voted for Moses the Black, unknown to me previously, whose story here moved me and uplifted me. Bless you, Lent Madness.
I had to chose Wycliff because I’ve read much of his translation (a pre-1660 English emphasis in grad scchool will do that to you), and I’ve traced it’s effects on the people of that time. Church history and English history would be very different without him. He was both a devout and a brave man.
I once tried to read a few verses of his translation, but it was more like reading a foreign language than anything close to our modern English, which would probably confound Shakespeare as much as most of us non-English majors are confounded by his works.
Wycliffe probably has had more of an effect on our lives today directly, but I voted for Moses the Black. He put hid life on the line for his faith and he turned around his own life and inspired those around him.
I voted for Moses the Black because he reminded me of David (the King of Judah) — chosen of God to bandit to king. Also Ethiopia is one of the few countries mentioned in the Bible which still exist and I’ve been there a couple of times.
John Wycliff for questioning power and control. And for speaking truth to power….
There are so many people like Wycliff in church history that speak to power from a position of power, and not enough recognition of people who show the power of Christ to heal in a manner embodied by Moses the Black, so he gets my vote.
Moses the Black exemplifies the beautiful Christ-like quality of nonviolence toward your fellowman!
I’m a polyglot, so if I can do half the good that Wycliffe did, I will be humbly proud of my life.
To die for non-violence! Is that faith or works? Moses the Black knew.
Close call with Black’s conversion and ultimately becoming a deacon. But, got to go with Wycliffe. Even though John Wycliffe died peacefully at home in bed on New Year’s Eve, the Church exhumed his body 44 years later, burned his bones, and scattered the ashes in a nearby river. Surely that rates a vote.
Even before I read about Moses, I was leary of John Wycliffe. I admired him for criticizing the wealth and power of the church, a real issue, but I wasn’t sure about the idea of transferring that power over to the kings – out of the frying pan and into the fire! Moses’ conversion and subsequent actions of forgiveness and nonviolence appealed to me more.
For me, this was the toughest choice so far. I really wanted to vote for Wycliffe, but in the end, I voted for Moses. The leaking jug metaphor is what did it.
let’s go moses!
I’m going with Moses!
I have to agree with everyone, yet another tough choice. I have loved Moses and his jug for some time. However, were it not for Wycliffe, would we have ever learned of Moses the (Ethiopian) Black from a much different church? Wycliffe chose to speak the truth to power in a time when it may have meant being burnt at the stake. Moses on the other hand, turned people’s hearts by example. Why does the Supreme Executive Committee make these decisions so difficult??
Because they love to watch us suffer, Ann. Just kidding!
I don’t know where folks are getting the idea that a vote for John Wycliffe is not a vote for nonviolence!
Gotta go with Moses the Black this morning both as the patron saint of non-violence and wonderful example of the power of grace and forgiveness. As a English language geek I was almost swayed by the translation argument until I realized Moses translated the bible too, he translated it into actions and you don’t have to read English to understand it. Thanks Lent Madness☺
I voted for Moses; he has been one of my favorite saints for many years now.
I voted for John Wycliffe but while reading about Moses was happily reminded of one of my very favorite children’ books – “The Three Robbers” by Tommy Ungerer.
N/A
i voted for moses because anyone can change!!!
Toughest choice yet, and we’ve just begun. Wanting to vote for Moses the Black but Wycliffe speaking truth to power is tugging at me. Still.praying over it.
I voted for Moses. Just shows there is hope for all.
My wife is Catholic, and so we were married in a Catholic church. During our talks with the priest during the preparation for the wedding, he asked who I would have chosen as a confirmation saint. Without missing a beat, I replied “Moses the Ethiopian, the patron saint of non-violence.”
Imagine my parents’ surprise when, during the ceremony, the priest introduced my wife and I by our full names, inserting “Moses” into the middle of mine!
I was torn but in the end had to go with Wycliffe A difficult decision.
As someone whose life was transformed by the Gospel (not to mention being turned upside down and shaken vigorously), I had to vote for Moses the Black!
The leaking jug and sins is one of the best illustrations of sinning unaware and forgiveness, just Google it. I am so glad to learn about Abba Moses and look forward to more.
It was a tough vote for me but I voted for Moses because of his commitment to transformation not only his own but others as well.
Wycliffe’s contribution lasted long after he died. Thanks for opening the Good Book for everyone.
David Creech wrote the Moses piece so well and compellingly, I had to vote for him.
Boy, this was the toughest one yet! Wycliffe was certainly a theologian/leader who positively influenced the future of Christianity. That being said, I voted for Moses because, in this day and age, we need shining examples of people who turn from bad deeds to GREAT deeds and live out their new commitment.
You had me at the dribbling water bucket, Moses.
Two great stories of the faith, and a very difficult choice. I went for Wycliffe in the end because his action touched more and many directly. But it was not a slam dunk. Moses the Black’s story reached out to me strongly… the epitome of God’s ability to change us, and for lives to go on in new ways. I’d never heard of him, and grateful to lent madness for introducing him to me.
I voted for Wycliffe because he protested against the wealth and political power of the Church. His ideas were ahead of his time.
“No one else ever made such a change from evil to excellence.”
So may we all!
Like many others, I voted for Moses the Black because of his history of transformation and his total embrace of non-violence.
I’d never heard of him before this LM, but I was inclined to vote in his direction because of my concerns over John Wycliffe’s rejection of the eucharistic presence and because of the way Wycliffe has often been used as a “poster boy” for anti-RC prejudice.
In your presentation of their histories, thanks for enabling me to vote FOR Moses the Black, rather than AGAINST Wycliffe.
I loved the dribbing water bucket story, too — but the first line that caught my eye was “Inspired by their contented piety, Moses converted to Christianity and renounced violence and CAROUSING.”
There might be hope for the rest of us, too, if we can renounce our carousing!
P.S. I’m going to confess I had a browser glitch — and possibly voted twice, inadvertently. I hope this doesn’t trigger a tweet-storm from the SEC!
Incredible commentaries!!!! I found Moses to my liking—non violence certainly speaks tous in our times. and his conversion demonstrates the possibilities of the workings of the Holy Spirit.
Moses the Black is one of the Desert Fathers named in The Conferences of St. John Cassian.
Another difficult choice! Voted for Moses in honor of those of us who have given up carousing (well, mostly) to follow Jesus!
Mossed.He fought off thieves when once was a thief. Then showed them the compassion that had been shown to him.
Ooh, a tough one! In the end I voted for Moses. Especially because his reformation wasn’t obvious for him – he was a big tough guy who could so easily have kept his power and street cred. Instead he changed, STAYED changed, helped others to change, and in the end gave his all for what he believed.
As has been the case every day so far, I am grateful to all of you for sharing your insights and perspectives.
Great work; Can’t wait to share with EfM group tomorrow. Moses is my choice.
Speaking truth to power vs. repentant non-violence & mercy. This is some pairing! I went with Wycliffe. He could easily have complacently gone with the flow. I have to tendency to hold in higher regard that which requires self-sacrificial initiative, as I find it fairly easy to sit on my hands and “be nice,” even if it might be dangerous. Get up off my dumpa and crank the hierarchy? That’s tougher for me. That, and post-truth. We need a modern Wycliffe, IMHO.
Wasn’t Wycliffe’s Bible translated in ways that were remarkably anti-authority for the Middle Ages and even centuries beyond? Weren’t his translations disliked in high circles even a few centuries later because they were viewed as challenging the Divine Right of Kings?
I thought I’d learned that the King James Bible was written with much respect toward earthly monarchs, as contrasted with Wycliffe’s translations that showed no special respect for national and regional rulers.
I voted for John because he was a voice for the inequities of his time and an advocate for social justice for his time.
I’m glad to learn of Moses the Black who indeed was a fine example of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. I am curious how a black man could have been the victim of racism in a country of people of color. While I was prepared to vote for him simply because he’s been grossly overlooked, I finally settled on Wycliffe based on the impact the lattr has had on Christianity through the ages.
Moses the Black! There is no way to peace; peace is the way. His story accurately describes the century and place he lived in, and the near impossibility of living in peace there. The story of the leaking jar makes sense if you recall that jars were carried on the backs of the carriers, and it thus parallels another, earlier from Egypt found in the Gospel of Thomas, saying 97: (97) Jesus said, “[What] the kingdom of the [father] resembles [is] a woman who was conveying a [jar] full of meal. When she had traveled far [along] the road, the handle of the jar broke and the meal spilled out after her [along] the road. She was not aware of the fact; she had not understood how to toil. When she reached home she put down the jar and found it empty.” (translation by my friend Bentley Layton). A bit more mysterious than the story of Moses the Black, but there’s always a residue of mystery in parables! Wycliffe for another time, maybe….
My name isZoey and I am six. I voted for John because he protested against politics and money in the church.
(Written by mum Kate. Thank you all for your warm welcome!)
Glad to hear from you again today, Zoey.
I didn’t vote for John, because he wanted to give control of the church to the nobles. I guess that was a different time, when the only options seemed to be the church authorities or the nobles. Glad we live in a different time.
I voted for John because putting the Word into the hands of “ordinary” Christians was, and still is, like providing a door to unlimited awe, pondering, and worship! Wish I could vote for Moses as well but….no contest here.➕
As others have said, this is a tough choice. I wavered and finally voted for Wycliffe. He recognized power and money gathered in the church for the sake of the church, and not for the body of Christ, so to speak. It has been a struggle through the ages and is still among us; an on-going challenge and needed discernment in considering those who are elected to positions of authority. It starts in discerning the call of those seeking ordained ministry.
It seems all the candidates from the reformation era emote heavy, dark auras that resist the embrace of our Lenten madness. The bad guy gone righteous cant help but win votes, no matter how naive.
Moses the Black reminded me of Paul. Where are you, Moses the Black? We need you now in this nation of ours!!!
Please help bring peace. My vote is for Moses the Black!
I’m responding to Tim’s comment about Adam getting up early every morning in Lent to work on this…. I suspect he is up early anyway! HELLO ADAM AND FAMILY! Big hugs from the Cooks in Scituate.
Moses the black’s story was mostly traveling and I like that and the story also shows that people can change because Moses the black was first a bandit and then a monk.
John Wycliffe had me going until the last paragraph which stated that later in life he argued against the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Sorry John. You lost me there.
Transformation trumps (no slur intended) translation!
I’m inspired by the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Moses the Black, but one of my aunts has served as part of Wycliffe Bible Translators for almost forty years, so I voted for John the Translator this time and most likely I will have a chance to consider voting for Moses the Monk in the next round.
Oh and WBT also produces (or has produced in the past at least) an amazing cookbook, in addition to translating the Holy Scriptures into indigenous languages around the globe, some of which previously had no written form.
A tough choice – kind of like what do I do if Syracuse and Notre Dame are playing each other for a national championship. I finally went with Wycliffe.
Voted for Moses. On saturday we had a visit in our parish from f Jacques Mourad of Deir Mar Musa al-habashi (monastary of Moses the abbessinian (i e the black) in Syria. They very much live after his example: non violence, joy and hospitality.
Loves Moses. The compassion he had for others was moving. I voted for Moses.
It’s March 7. Is something wrong with the website? This is yesterday’s match-up.
Something is odd, I never got yesterday’s matchup by email as I usually do, I had to go to the website to find it. I also haven’t gotten Tuesday by email. Shall we blame the Russians?
I am later reading these but chose Moses because of his ability to change and learn that God truly does forgive. I hope to not miss another day.
Abba Moses! The leaking jug story and his treatment of the robbers did it for me. Also “Moses Supposes” from “Singin’ in the Rain.” As Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor showed grace and strength through dance in the movie, Abba Moses showed grace and strength in his transformation from bandit to monk.