ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
February 11, 2022
A funny thing happened to me on the way to the… You’re wondering where I’m going with that. That’s the kind of line that has folks sitting up, listening, even preparing to hear something funny or unusual. Jesus did it with hyperbole and parables and with the occasional self-offered invitation to dinner. Can’t you just imagine Jesus turning to his disciples as they were feeling overwhelmed with 5,000 hungry people in a deserted place, and he says to them, “You feed them…” How about the time Jesus saw a despised tax collector in a tree and said to Zaccheaus, “…come down as I must stay at your house today.” What about all the times Jesus said, “You’ve heard ancient teachings that have taught you one thing, but I say unto you…” and then he goes on to tell folks to love their enemies, turn the other cheek and to not even have lust in their hearts. A funny thing happened on my way to sending out today’s etching. A quick review caught that I originally wrote, “…turn the other chicken.” Have we become so accustom to Jesus saying outrageous things that we no longer sit up and take notice? Do we hear the shocking only to nod and go on with life as usual? Maybe it would be good to shake things up and invite folks to turn the other chicken just to see if they’re paying attention.
I do not wish to be disinterested or complacent when it comes to your vision for life, O God. Take me into the stories of Jesus, and then point me to their relevance for my life today. Amen.
