The world of the emoji is peripheral to the one I inhabit. It is easy to imply extreme reactions to otherwise mundane, everyday events. We become overreactors and if that happens, how do we respond when something truly unusual occurs?
I know I can be on the blunt side; I prefer not to use opaque language to water down a difficult message. In my family, for example, we do not ‘pass’ or ‘go into the other room’; we die. Brutal perhaps but there is little opportunity for misunderstanding.
Today’s reading from Acts 2:36-41 quotes a line from Saint Peter’s Pentecost address to a crowd. He says, verse 36, ‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.’ It would not suit modern sensitivities to be so direct and yet Peter made his mark. The people responded asking what they should do, were advised to opt for Baptism and on that day, we read, the fledgling church added three thousand people to its membership.
I am left wondering whether more direct speaking may serve the church better than our often apologetic, ‘if you wouldn’t mind awfully’ approach. If we are shocked, pulled up short, we can change direction more easily than when we are trundling along happily in our lives minding our own business and disturbing no one. Meanwhile, Jesus who was a disturber of the status quo challenged his followers to be Baptisers, which means being people prepared to challenge others to repentance.
Next time you see the shocked emoji, ask yourself who you last jerked into repentance with the directness of your speech.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, as you disturbed the religious traditions of your day and overwhelmed people with your shocking, life-giving love, may we be emboldened to shock those around us; not for shock’s sake but for love’s sake and to spread your glorious gospel of hope. Amen.