A Warning!

I am reading the lectionary gospel (Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23) and epistle (James 1. 17 to end) in tandem today. The passages are connected, they address the same thing. They are not uplifting, maybe a little weird with the potential for condemnation of both self and others. And the last thing I want to blog about is a topic that leaves people feeling low and perhaps guilty that they aren’t good enough. I see no profit in that whatsoever.

 

Both these passages talk about things that one needs to rid oneself of. Having lived quite a lot of years now, I know one thing — no one is perfect! All will fail and do things they regret both in the past and likely in the future. This is part of our humanness. God created humanity with all the wonderful potential for living our own lives and making our own mistakes. A popular adage tells that “We learn by our mistakes”, and there is a lot of truth in that.

 

Yet, I think there is a warning to be heeded in these two passages. A warning that is perhaps more needed now than usual as the US moves into a pre-election period. The warning in both texts is simply that it is what utters forth from a person that causes harm.

 

It saddens me a lot to hear and read ugly words that are intended to harm, belittle and incite others to hatred. Surely, there must be a way to disagree on policies without hating the person who is voicing them. 

 

Of course, I know nothing much will change over the next couple of months, but I can refuse to be part of it. And, I can tell you there has been quite a few times lately when I have been tempted to forward a clever cartoon or meme showing a candidate in bad light. (I’m only human after all!)  But I have resisted sharing them.

 

Now don’t hear me wrongly. I’m not in any way suggesting that our political situation should be ignored. This is an important election; it determines the future of this country. I’m all for supporting an issue, for speaking against injustice and for working for those who are marginalized. That is an important part of our calling to serve which is part of our community rule — to love, to serve, to forgive.

 

It is important that a way is found where that can be done without making personal inflammatory attacks on someone’s looks or behavior. Over the next few weeks, I want to make a commitment to doing that. 

 

Will I fail at times — probably! 

 

But that is okay, I’ll learn, pick myself up and continue, all the time thanking God for my humanness.