January 16, 2023 – “Spewing Rhetoric”

“Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you! For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in We  of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:17-26

{When my son, William, was young, we belonged to a small country church. On Communion day, deacons would pass around the “bread and juice.” One Sunday, we attended a church out of town that was more formal. What our church called bread and juice, this one referred to as elements, a word William didn’t understand. As Communion began, the pastor said, “If the deacons will come forward, the elements will pass among us.” William was suddenly excited and I didn’t know why. Then he leaned toward me, whispering something that caused me to burst out laughing. With all eyes on us, I took him by the hand and we made a hasty exit. All the way to the car, he protested. “Mom, we’re going to miss the circus. The pastor said the elephants were going to pass among us!”}

We often speak about the fact that there is “…an elephant in the room” when there is something that goes unspoken among a group. In my opinion there are too many elephants in too many rooms because people are afraid to talk about their feelings and state their disagreements openly fearing retribution and condemnation.

Now, this is 21^st century America, and we are so divided in our society it is no wonder people are afraid to share their opinions. My Lord it took fifteen votes to determine who would be Speaker of the House because 21 members of his own party refused to vote unless they got their way.

I know that our society has become very sensitive and seemingly unable to “stomach” dissenting opinion – and not just dissenting opinion but the occasional faux pas or even the intentionally controversial statement or viewpoint. So, I am going to be intentionally controversial – I am not going to let the elephant in the room breathe any air – so here goes:

Why can’t we all just grow some thicker skin and not take ourselves and our opinions and our feelings so seriously all of the time?

Why can’t we take time to discern a comment, a situation, and a controversial opinion before we open our mouths and spew hatred and shout epithets at one another? Take time to consider your response – weigh your opinion – form your post before you act. And, if I may be so bold, take time to realize that just because someone says something controversial does not mean they are an idiot. Some of the smartest people in the world have held seriously radical views and dangerous opinions–people like Martin Luther, Jan Hus, and author Charles Bukowski. So, if you disagree with me, well, spew away – I can take it.

(the opinions expressed by this devotion writer are not representative of his or her viewpoint or to be given any weight toward his or her ability to express an informed opinion – all concerns should be given to the elephant in the room so that we can all just continue to loathe one another until a time in the future when Jesus renders all things unto himself.)

Let us pray: Dear G-d, give me a discerning mind and open heart so I may listen before I speak. Amen.

 Pastor Dave