The Main Event - October 9
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12); Micah 3:9-4:5; Acts 24:24-25:12; Luke 8:1-15
I thought the first presidential debate was fascinating. What I found fascinating was not the quality of the answers provided, the tone of the candidates, or even the moderator. I was intrigued by how the event was set up and marketed as to convey the nature and content of the debate conversation. You know, “The Main Event: The First Presidential Debate.”
I have a confession that might surprise you. There was this brief six-month period towards the end of college where I watched WWE wrestling weekly, although I think it was called WWF at the time. We even purchased some of the Pay-Per-View big events where there would be a series of fights that would lead up to “The Main Event” where we would finally watch Triple H take on The Rock or some other ludicrously named wrestlers. There would be commentators before getting you prepped for “The Main Event” with a goal of getting everyone all amped up for the big battle. It was a whole lot of fun and I can’t believe I have let you in on this little secret.
But it’s a helpful image because this is how I felt before the debate. Even the music made you feel like you were preparing for two gladiators to duel to the death. Maybe this is from the cost of having lost sports for several months. We have turned the presidential debates into a violent sport where we expect a winner and a loser, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Ric Flair shows up with a metal chair (another embarrassing wrestling image).
I guess debates are set up as a competition, but it seems that instead of dialogue and discourse in our country, we have become armature debaters. We post things on social media with the facts bent to support our truths. We have missed the target of seeking mutual understanding and replaced that goal with trying to be right. It feels like we have all given up a willingness that any change or growth could emerge from dialogue because we are too focused on winning. Welcome to the Main Event.
I was struck in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:1-15) that one of the places that seeds land are on a rocky surface. Jesus explains that the seed is the Word of God. The people hear it and appreciate it, but it cannot take root and therefore the word of God withers and dies. Rocks are tough to change. By nature, they are inflexible, sometimes immovable. Roots in soil on the other hand change the nature of the soil it is planted in. The soil has to be willing to bend and move and flex.
I am an adamant believer that there is no right political party. People of all walks of life with a diversity of opinions create the body of Christ. But I do think there is something about an ethic and willingness to both be changed and to grow that is necessary for us to grow in our faith. It even helps our faith become rooted in our identity. Our openness to change and transformation is critical for the wellbeing of our faith. I also wonder if this overall ethic, applied in all aspects of our life such as our willingness to engage our sisters and brothers, might also be critical for the wellbeing of the human race. Let’s not let the Word of God fall on rocky ground. Maybe, let’s not the words of each other do the same.
-John
Questions for Self-Reflection: What opinions of yours have changed over time? Why? What caused this change?
Daily Challenge: The goal of today is mutual understanding. Read an article by someone you disagree with, but make the focus to understand why they are writing it and what experiences they have had that have led them to this position.