Category: Theological Rant
Understanding a sigh
Jesus sighed . . .
In Christian tradition, that bit of scripture doesn’t get as much attention or repetition as, “Jesus wept.”
When a parent would sigh it was both a stall tactic for their own well being as well as the audible cue that my behavior or language was found lacking. It acknowledged that they knew that I knew better. It was an expression of both disappointment and motivation that didn’t always mean I was in trouble, but often preceded penance before grace.
A sigh needs context. I think of Bullwinkle’s pal Rocky exclaiming, “Again?” One might sigh to express exhaustion, melancholy, grief, relief, or frustration. And sometimes, a sigh is an expression of awe or wonder. “Look, they got it.” or “I’m proud.” I heard that sigh from my parents: when I stood up to the bully, demonstrated better sportsmanship in high school, did the ethical hard thing, at graduations, at my ordination, and our wedding.
For some it is hard to imagine Jesus as a frustrated leader of disciples that are always looking for him to do most of the work. A Jesus who might experience being “put out” or at his “wits end.” Many only imagine the positive sighing Jesus. But, as I look around our culture and the world right now, it is easy for me to imagine Jesus sighing “at” and “about” the people who claim to follow him in the 21st century. As a collective we are earning that frustrated sigh and eye roll even as individuals we are doing our best to live faith.
As I think about what is happening with the climate it seems like nature (creation) is sighing. Wildfires. Floods. Earthquakes. Extreme temperatures in all four seasons. Tornados where they don’t usually happen. Stronger hurricanes and a longer hurricane season. Rain on the peak of Greenland’s ice sheet. Covid-19 and other diseases, known and once thought defeated, and those yet known. Rising oceans and desalination of the oceans. Drought. Creation strikes back. What’s the penance?
I’m an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serve in youth ministry in our Region. Our Regional Youth Council met in August via Zoom. It is not what we wanted to do, but it was the responsible decision given Covid’s rising transmission rate in Oklahoma. It is what intentional Christian community requires of us: to think of the other. You know, “neighbor as yourself” and “golden rule” stuff. We spent some time thinking about and talking about these two questions:
- What do you think is the single, most important, life giving characteristic of your church (local and universal)?
- When the church (local and universal) is at its best, what is it doing?
How would you answer those?
RYC members talked of generosity, being a helping hand, and welcoming people. They imagined how we can be better at grace, are non-judgmental and hospitable. My summary of their thoughts: “We are a church that gives without expectation of receiving.” An aside: Is that an evangelism strategy?
Right there in Mark 7, Jesus sighed . . . and said, “be opened.” Just moments before, a woman shamed Jesus to help her daughter. Even Jesus needed a remedial lesson. Be opened. It’s a risk, but who knows what you might see, hear, say, or do when you follow Jesus’ example of living and interacting with people here in the 21st century. That’s hard to do. It has always been hard.
I can hear Jesus sigh . . . at me.
Dancing Problems
Progress is a trade
It’s easy to imagine that over there, just a few steps ahead, our problems will disappear.
Pessimists, of course, are sure that instead of disappearing, tomorrow will make things worse.
The truth is pretty simple: All we do, all we ever do, is trade one set of problems for another.
Problems are a feature. They’re the opportunity to see how we can productively move forward. Not to a world with no problems at all, but to a situation with different problems, ones that are worth dancing with.
Seth Godin, July 28, 2021
In my sermons this past four months I’ve noted that some of us are thinking about “getting back to normal” or “back to before.” Maybe “before” wasn’t nearly as good as we think it was or as meaningful as “right now” is or tomorrow might be. I don’t consider myself an optimist. Some might call me a pessimist. I think I’m a realists, but let’s quibble over labels another day.
Covid-19 forced most of us into situations we never wanted to be in and decisions we never wanted to make. It presented me(us) with opportunities to reflect on how I am living. Where did I spend my time and to what or whom did I give my attention. Was that good for me? Was that good for my family, friends, and my following Jesus?
The coronavirus did the same thing to the institutions, myths, and stories we rely upon, support, and participate in that act as a compass for our lives. It continues to do so. It’s the hardest thing: to decide what problems are opportunities worthy of attention and which ones just distract and nag, willingly or not, from meaningful living and helping our neighbors.
One thing that Covid-19 has made clearer for me is that being super busy doesn’t mean one is successful. It may mean we are over functioning or are workaholics or are fearful of idle time. It may mean that one doesn’t have the clarity to say “no” to the less important or the filters to sift important from unimportant in the short term and long term. And, it could mean that one has focused on the very important for their lives and kicked into hyperdrive.
I don’t know if church, youth group, Christianity, or following Jesus, any or all, are important for you. They may be problems worth dancing with.
May God’s shalom find you and may you live in God’s shalom.