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papal pilgrimage Now that my 5 bloggers from around the world have rung in on the golden fountain post-- i can move on. it's great having you 5 on board by the way. :-)
I am stunned by the events unfolding in Rome. Almost 5 million people have journeyed to the city to mourn John Paul's death-- they continue to call it the largest gathering in human history. Amazing Grace! I continue to be put off a bit by the way the media-- particularly Bryan Williams with NBC-- who is adamant about describing the whole thing as a "human" event. From my perspective as a believer in Jesus-- the truly human one-- I appreciate that. But that's not what Bryan seems to mean by it. It seems he is going out of his way to not reference this as a Divine event or a Holy event. it is a human phenomena in his reporting. What's that about?
It will be interesting to see how this funeral is interpreted by the media-- what they choose to sound-byte. posted by John David Walt | at 4/08/2005 12:40:00 AM
Today...
5 Comments:
Well I guess you are up very early this morning as well. Still a beautiful service and rehersal for the Throne.
A strong wind seems to be blowing through the square, moving things around a bit... a visible symbol of a prayer for the wind of the Holy Spirit blow through the Church and move things around a bit for the Glory of Christ in the world.
- I'm in Maui right now - so i watched the funeral at 10:00 last night. It was so interesting....flipping between news channels, listening to reporters try to come up with things to comment on instead of the gospel. They talked about the great "organization involved in distribition of communion" - they didn't talk about the fact that the 5 million people all came to be in spiritual union with a triune God. They talked about the great testimony to John Paul's leadership and character - they didn't talk about the 5 million people who came in solidarity with a man who was for the glory of God. So many people - so many nations and tribes and tounges - such a great foreshadowing of what is to come - and how EVERY knee shall bow, and every tounge confess, that Jesus is LORD. Amen.
- Make us one, Lord. Do it.
I'm not so sure why we should be surprised to hear the interpretation of events that we do from the news producers. Our interpretive predisposition and commitments allow us to see the spiritual significance of the event.
The news producers bring a different set of predispositions and commitments to the table. Their interpretive lens (as always) is centered on how to sell the news product, that is, how to get people to watch (or buy print editions, online subscriptions, etc). A second commitment is to a detachment from the subject being reported. In truth, this commitment is mythological on at least two counts: (1) No one is detached from something they observe and research, only differently attached to or engaged with it, and (2)"Detachment" does not necessarily enhance one's ability to understand a subject.
Further, this (and other events) brings to mind Jesus' explanation of his use of parables in Matthew 13. According to him, the parables were not simple illustrations designed to help people come to faith, but rather a fulfillment of Isaiah's calling to speak in such a way to the people as to reveal the content of their hearts: "The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.'" (Mt 13:13)
The news producers see the raw events, but lack a heart disposition that allows them to perceive. In fact they have a disposition that opposes a Christian interpretation of the event. Even God's acts of power and grace may be missed by people with nasty smudges on their lenses.
If one sees but cannot perceive, I imagine they've got to come up with something to keep people consuming their news product.
I feel sorry for the Christian reporters who are covering this event for secular media organizations. They have a fine line to walk and a big decision to make. Do they communicate this message to the world in the context of God's love, or do they simply do what they're told in an effort to keep their job- and possibly to keep doors open where they are so they can share Christ later? If they chose the latter, how badly would they feel, even if they felt like they were making the right decision at the time? And how could they bear to keep God's name out of something like this when they know the truth? I pray that they'll have the courage to glorify God through this, in whatever way He chooses for that to happen.
this is a really helpful post from guy likening jesus use of parables-- thanks
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