The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

The longest days of summer are nearly here emphasizing the movement of the seasons as well as the beauty of their timing. Early mornings or late evenings are a delight to get caught up in the colors and textures of the gardens. Sunshine low to the horizon is especially conducive to backlighting flowers and blooms. They appear different from the bulk of sunshine hours as they provide yet another perspective to view the garden. Through the camera lens, backlighting illuminates in new ways offering a distinct perspective not seen at other moments of the day.

Similarly, backstories illuminate new insights not normally experienced in other moments. Backstories often provide context for the characters they represent and helping us to understand the makeup and nuances of each person as their story unfolds.

Backstories also represent true-to-life experiences of others, defining them in helpful ways for the rest of us. Human nature adores backstories for they often sate our less than noble desire for gossip, for knowing how someone ticks, and of course for explaining away bad behavior. Whatever the backstory, lighting it from all directions reveals a more complex rendering of who we are and whether we have learned to play nice with others.

Jesus has a backstory that includes his three-year ministry, the apostles, government complications, and the ultimate death of Jesus, a near inevitable outcome regardless of the theology you hold dear. What is missing are the moments of his youth beyond a scant mention or two. Wouldn’t we love to know whether he had a difficult or easy time of it growing up? Was he always this put together, or did something extraordinary happen that caused him to become an amazing advocate of compassion in furtherance of the Kingdom of God?”

So what should we expect when we become more illuminated? We likely all recall instants when we were not at our best, cringe worthy moments that beg for a do-over. The list is fairly long that we end up beating ourselves over. Can we also identify the good that comes to the forefront when we are cast in a different light? It’s not a matter of doing good to earn our way but rather responding to the grace given us, even when we think we don’t stack up.

Once attuned to recognize good when we see it, it becomes easier to lift up the ‘other’ who stands before us, just as Jesus demonstrated before his disciples. How easily we discard entire groups of people merely on the basis of whom they are and who we hate. Would it help to know their backstories or merely confuse? I vote for full illumination. Who am I? Who are you? Who are we to compare ourselves, and why are we all so eager to condemn?

Consider the backlighting and backstories that are present in our lives. Is it helpful for us to see a broader more authentic and compassionate garden, one that encounters all manner of illumination in understanding? It’s a frightening thing for many church goers to finally begin to grow into their faith. Seeing Jesus from all sides takes a bit of getting used to. That’s the exciting part of religion, seeing everything in a new light.