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

In these days of excesses — emotions, attitudes, irritations — each person must decide what their line in the sand delineates. Without the openness of saying yes to saying no, to listen instead of talk and to favor compassion over invective, the church and modern society might well be relegated once again to the dark ages. Although the scriptural canon was mostly established over the course of several hundred years, it has since remained largely static, gospel as it were. Only when we say no to such uncompromising rigidity can scripture come to life and be seen in ways that we have been blinded to for far too many church generations.

Without the opportunity to challenge, to question and to express reservations when they arise, we are easily hobbled in our spiritual growth, unable or unwilling to color outside the lines. Isn’t it curious that Jesus’ modus operandi is quite the opposite? He challenged with questions without always providing answers to those questions. He refocused those who would listen to consider new paths and new ways of living life in the culture of his time. He led by example bringing healing and wholeness to those on the margins. The Kingdom of God was not a future goal but a present reality that demanded attention and responsiveness in the moment.

There is seldom ever a one-size-fits-all response to the concerns of the day, be they first or 23rd century. Our human condition is borne aloft by how we respond, even when we’re not entirely confident in the result. That should come as relief to many of us since we no longer feel pressured to play God, obviating the need to judge others and their circumstances. There is enough on our individual plates to keep us busy for quite some time without demanding that others conform to our standards of propriety.

But why does it seem that so many people get a free pass on poor behaviors? Shouldn’t that elicit a response from the rest of us? If we represent ordered society, then some degree of accountability is certainly in order. However, when respectability is supplanted by the need for punishment, payback, retaliation or vengeance, then it is also time to look to the dark places in each of us in order to explore our complicities, as distasteful as they might be.

Each of us have been given an intellect and at least a few tools to put it into play. It makes it possible to say yes to saying no, to stand firm in declaring the emperor has no clothes when it is appropriate. Every voice is an opportunity to broaden our understanding of place in this world. Unbending and unresponsive religion is simply not helpful in the larger picture. It might feel suitable from a literal viewpoint, but it risks failing in the long run by inoculating people from religion.

If faith commitments merely get us to church once a week, that is not enough. Saying yes to saying no enables us to embrace another way of living, one that calls for hopefulness, helpfulness, and simplicity. Not a bad start in emulating the faith to which we are called.