An afterthought

Something that occurs to you after the time has passed, especially if it is something sharp and witty and would make your point perfectly, is so disappointing. I know I’ve been there, thinking of the perfect “come back” long after the discussion has ended. I think that feeling is one most can relate to.

“If I had it to do over again, I would have said it differently,” but the moment has passed. I remember a time in my early 20s, when I worked on a student newspaper with a guy who had pretty strong and conservative opinions.

He often found himself outnumbered by those of us who were a little more left-leaning, especially when it had to do with reproductive rights. Once he actually said, “Stop, I need to write down my argument before we can go any further.”

I was more than a little embarrassed for him, being so far out of his league and not even knowing.

It seems that Jesus is never in this spot. Granted, he may have the benefit of a clever editor, but here in the gospel of Mark, he sure is impressive as he thinks on his feet and leaves the Pharisees speechless. In the seventh chapter of Mark, he meets opposition, because it appears that his disciples fail to observe the cleanliness laws and eat with “defiled hands.” Without missing a beat, Jesus charges back, quoting the prophet Isaiah and accusing them of abandoning the laws of God while holding to human tradition. It’s smart and quick, but he backs up his accusation by giving several examples, then seizes the moment to offer a significant teaching. What comes out of the body defiles.

It seems that people who claim to be followers of Christ continue to need to be reminded. How many people hide behind the idea that they love their church, love God and yet never exhibit that kind of behaviour?

COVID-19 protocols have given all of us a chance to step back and think about the roles we played in church, the offices we served, the volunteering we’ve committed to. Lots of things have stopped. It’s like the whole church has been on sabbatical for the last year and a half. Congregations gather, though smaller in number for in-person worship, and in a variety of other ways as we continue to be the church. Most churches, however, are far from operating as they had before the pandemic hit. I wonder how many people will continue in their roles after we get the green light to return. I wonder if time away has also given a most necessary time of discernment about what work is ours to keep, as we live into the teachings of Jesus. It’s a complicated time. Do we resume out of habit, or do we try to connect with those activities that most reflect the teachings of Christ? Lots of our orders and rules are human-made, but where is the mission of Christ calling us?

As we begin to think of returning this fall, maybe a faith for today would be enhanced by intentionally considering which things are human constructs and which of our ministries reflect the mandate of Jesus.

I can think of no better way to resume.