ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 17, 2026
After yesterday’s Etching, where I challenged the notion of shame as a healthy and productive motivator, I was surprised by the number of people who reached out to me with notes or shared their thoughts on social media. It resonated deeply with many. Dr. Brené Brown, the absolutely brilliant author and speaker, defines shame as: “the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love, belonging, and connection.” Explain to me how shaming someone will be like food for the soul and energy for one’s motivation. If anything, it is absolutely the opposite. And sadly, some people are quite well experienced in shaming others
During the ministry of Jesus, those who were blind, paralyzed, or dealing with another illness were often scapegoated as the reason for the Roman occupation. The infirmity was understood as God’s displeasure with them. Not only were such folks on the bottom rung of the social ladder or maybe other people’s stepping stone to the first rung, but society said they were to blame for all the other problems. What the person had supposedly done to bring about the Roman occupation was unclear, but the disease or disability was a clear sign of the individual’s guilt. When a person lacked self-worth from just the pain of daily life, it was challenging to withstand further blows to their ego. However, Jesus refrained from engaging in the harmful blame game. Instead, he uplifted individuals, healed them, instilled a sense of dignity, and helped them recognize their inherent value in the eyes of God. Do not underestimate the impact you can have on another human being. A few simple affirmations can begin to pull back the veil of shame and allow a little light and love to break through.
My Lord and my God – I open my spirit to your healing and affirming Spirit, and I pray for all those who have been belittled, beaten down, and made to feel like nothing. Help me to give voice to one of the single most powerful words in all of scripture: all of humanity, from their conception, were declared to be ‘good’ by you. Thank you! Amen.
