This morning an article that is doing the rounds on social media was attributed to me. It is an article that I find offensive, contrary to section fifteen of our nation’s constitution and in direct contrast to Jesus’ actions whenever he encountered people of different beliefs. I own that my immediate reaction was personal embarrassment, defensiveness and anger.
Yet after some reflection and prayer, a cup of vanilla latte and some sage advice from colleagues I realised that this is a good learning opportunity:
Firstly my ongoing hurt is for a group of people to whom Jesus would show love and respect whether he agreed with their convictions or not. Jesus dealt with Roman officials, soldiers, Samaritans, Canaanites and other Gentiles alike showing love and respect, performing miracles and winning them over with Love.
One of the ongoing existential struggles that plague my ministry is that we all assert that God is love and yet act as though God is judgement.
Secondly, I thank God that our government allows freedom of association and religious freedom – it means that you and I are able to worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit in freedom and joy.
Thirdly, it is a lesson to all of us that whenever there is a message which is circulated on social media attributed to anyone we need to confirm that these are indeed the views of the person concerned – I learnt of this article through a wise Spiritually mature member of my congregation who checked in with me. Similarly, we should be cautious not to just pass on messages without discernment and judgment particularly if it has the potential to be slanderous or hurtful.
Contemporary society loves to gather around drama, conspiracy theories and crises imagine how different our world would be if we shared as many social media messages on love and grace as we did about the ‘groot gevaar’.
I think it takes more courage to love as Jesus did than it does to judge and condemn.
/159
