Muting our Microphones - February 8
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]; Isa. 58:1-12; Gal. 6:11-18; Mark 9:30-41
On Saturday, our Diocese gathered for our Annual Convention. Early in the morning, there were 345 people logged onto zoom. You might not be surprised to know that there were a few procedural explanations that had to happen at the beginning. We adopted new rules of order for zoom meetings and at 9:05 am, the moderator muted everyone’s microphones. Yes, 345 people started a meeting without their microphones on mute and as we begin our convention, someone was having a rough morning and a cacophony of curse words came spewing from my computer speakers. It was honestly one of the funniest moments I have had in zoom meeting. And while I’m sure the culprit is mortified, with 345 people logged in, no one knows who it was, and I’m sure it was an honest mistake, but we certainly heard a conversation that wasn’t intended for the larger group.
I feel like the disciples forgot to mute their microphones when Jesus walks into the house in Capernaum. They are arguing and when Jesus asks them what they are arguing about, they are silent. They know they have been discussing what they shouldn’t be discussing. They are arguing about who is the greatest. Jesus doesn’t tell them what they are doing wrong. They already know! Amazing isn’t it.
One of the most provocative statements I have heard about preaching was by the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber. She was speaking to the clergy in my previous diocese and she has a reputation for being provocative and edgy. And yet, her preaching advice was simple. Our job is not to tell people what they are doing is wrong. They already know! Instead, it is to break open their hearts so that they may hear the Good News.
We all have conversations that we don’t want to be heard by others. And from time to time, we forget to put our microphones on mute. It speaks to a deeper truth, that we all have work to do because we are humans in need of God’s grace. But each of us also has the work of helping our hearts be broken open to hearing God’s Good News. And I am inspired to believe it’s a much healthier place to begin than worrying about correcting the errs of everyone’s ways. At least, it’s what Jesus did. And that’s not a bad place to begin.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: Are there conversations you remember having that you later regrated? What have you learned from these in the past?
Daily Challenge: Consider this: How can you be a person who helps others’ hearts be broken open to God’s Good News? Commit to this approach instead of correcting others that you disagree with.