Caring VI (SA)

For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.

 - From John 18

It's hard to make sense of the world today; hard to understand what people are actually advocating. 

On the one hand, we want justice. But not just any justice. We want social justice.

But on the other hand, we want people to have what they "deserve." All children deserve and education. All people deserve health care. All asylum seekers deserve entry. All people deserve to vote. All veterans deserve all basic needs: housing, healthcare, a job. 

But on the other hand, we want active management of the climate. It is a top priority. 

But on the other hand, we want all people to be treated with respect and dignity, unconditionally.

But on the other hand, we want people silenced that disagree with us. 

But on the other hand, we want no borders.

But on the other hand, we want strict barriers placed around countries like Russia. 

But on the other hand, we want to make decisions according to Science. 

But on the other hand, we want to make sure we don't hurt any feelings.

Now . . . 

I had a professor of an advanced writing class at the University of Michigan, in 1979. I had used the phrase "On the other hand," in my narrative. He wrote in the margins, in red ink:

"NO! You must have two hands!!"

Because I had not written "On the one hand."

But here I just violated that rule (and it's a good one), by giving myself nine hands!

But really . . . we have so many options, so many viewpoints, so many needs, so many resources, so many choices, so many demands . . . and so little time!!

Are we supposed to check our privilege? Or attend the best colleges and universities? Must we do our charitable work out in the open, or anonymously, or vicariously, through how we vote?

On Christ the King Sunday, we go to the Gospel lesson from the Book that begins "In the Beginning was the Word" (Logos). Or idea of God. Or His plan. Or his narrative. God's Word is more real than we are. It says that the word, or truth of God, was God Himself . . . and that the Truth became a man: Jesus. 

We somehow miss all of that. The gospel of John is about Truth. Facts. Wisdom. A Plan. A Process. An idea. And it got written down, first in old testament scrolls. And then in the Person of Christ. And then on our hearts.

After all has settled down, and we have gotten completely overwhelmed with all of modern society's demands on us, to do this, be that, stop this, and start that - - - to check this, and own that - - - all of that Truth and Science ends up getting boiled down to One Person: Jesus Christ. 

When asked if He were the King of the Jews, has answer was that He came to testify to the Truth. And that people that follow the Truth hear His voice. 

Science? Justice? Truth? Wisdom?

Just simplify all of that and follow Christ.