Wokingahm Word article - April 2010
CRUCIFIXION ? ONE CROSS EACH ! ...
I had a ‘phone call the other day from someone who hadn’t intended
to call me. He was someone I knew, but he’d confused my number with the
person he’d wanted to call. Nothing unusual there.
We exchanged smiling, unanticipated pleasantries and implored each other to
“take care” before finishing the call. Still nothing unusual.
When he’d gone I smiled a little longer and thought about the character at the other end of the line: A tall, quiet, unassuming man with a vaguely bohemian style and a warm, gentle voice. Someone who listened attentively when you spoke to him and responded in a caring, thoughtful manner. Someone protective towards his family and loyal to those he loves. Someone artistically talented and happy to share his skills. The sort of individual we’ve all met and, hopefully, can list among our friends.
Then I pondered another person I knew. Someone who’d think nothing of humiliating even a stranger in public, who habitually boasts, rarely listens to others, steals limelight, takes undeserved credit, is unashamedly bigoted and makes a show of going to Church. The sort of person we’ve all met and, for whatever reason, may be obliged to list among our acquaintances.
If the communities in which each of these men is living could place them side-by-side for assessment, the first man would be socially crucified and the second exalted. Why ? Because, paradoxically, the first is a convicted criminal and the second is a “pillar of the community”.
How different those two people are, and how readily I would choose the company and friendship of the first over the second.
Jesus’ Crucifixion splashed itself across my mind’s canvas. There on similar crosses, one on either side of him, were two felons. One of the robbers hurled unrelenting insults at Jesus while the other showed, in his final hour, what was deep in his heart: compassion, justice and remorse. Society tortured all three in equal measure.
In today’s world we shirk our own responsibilities, preferring to hand them over to somebody else, but are ready with the axe of blame should anything go wrong. We take ridiculous risks with lives by allowing a degree of alcohol to be present in a driver’s blood, yet deem it necessary to inform the public that the contents of a cup of coffee may be hot, lest it hurt their mouths. We allow children to watch moving images of violence, while protecting them from the dangers of receiving a hug.
How on earth, then, are we to know that our human judgements are correct ? How can we be certain that the labels we have put on each other tell us exactly what’s in the packet ? We’re not. We can’t. Most of us don’t even fully know what’s in the packet labelled “Self”.
As humans we are woefully inadequate judges. It is a wonder that we have been
entrusted with the care of this planet and all that lives on it, a fact which
all too often equates to a primary school class being entrusted with the care
of a firework factory.
It might be an idea for us to stop tearing about, knocking over paint pots,
pulling pigtails and eating too many sweets, and to sit quietly listening to
our Teacher.
Gill Harris, Woosehill Community Church for Churches Together in Wokingham