Understanding a sigh
Jesus sighed . . .
In Christian tradition, that bit of scripture doesn’t get as much attention or repetition as, “Jesus wept.”
When a parent would sigh it was both a stall tactic for their own well being as well as the audible cue that my behavior or language was found lacking. It acknowledged that they knew that I knew better. It was an expression of both disappointment and motivation that didn’t always mean I was in trouble, but often preceded penance before grace.
A sigh needs context. I think of Bullwinkle’s pal Rocky exclaiming, “Again?” One might sigh to express exhaustion, melancholy, grief, relief, or frustration. And sometimes, a sigh is an expression of awe or wonder. “Look, they got it.” or “I’m proud.” I heard that sigh from my parents: when I stood up to the bully, demonstrated better sportsmanship in high school, did the ethical hard thing, at graduations, at my ordination, and our wedding.
For some it is hard to imagine Jesus as a frustrated leader of disciples that are always looking for him to do most of the work. A Jesus who might experience being “put out” or at his “wits end.” Many only imagine the positive sighing Jesus. But, as I look around our culture and the world right now, it is easy for me to imagine Jesus sighing “at” and “about” the people who claim to follow him in the 21st century. As a collective we are earning that frustrated sigh and eye roll even as individuals we are doing our best to live faith.
As I think about what is happening with the climate it seems like nature (creation) is sighing. Wildfires. Floods. Earthquakes. Extreme temperatures in all four seasons. Tornados where they don’t usually happen. Stronger hurricanes and a longer hurricane season. Rain on the peak of Greenland’s ice sheet. Covid-19 and other diseases, known and once thought defeated, and those yet known. Rising oceans and desalination of the oceans. Drought. Creation strikes back. What’s the penance?
I’m an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serve in youth ministry in our Region. Our Regional Youth Council met in August via Zoom. It is not what we wanted to do, but it was the responsible decision given Covid’s rising transmission rate in Oklahoma. It is what intentional Christian community requires of us: to think of the other. You know, “neighbor as yourself” and “golden rule” stuff. We spent some time thinking about and talking about these two questions:
- What do you think is the single, most important, life giving characteristic of your church (local and universal)?
- When the church (local and universal) is at its best, what is it doing?
How would you answer those?
RYC members talked of generosity, being a helping hand, and welcoming people. They imagined how we can be better at grace, are non-judgmental and hospitable. My summary of their thoughts: “We are a church that gives without expectation of receiving.” An aside: Is that an evangelism strategy?
Right there in Mark 7, Jesus sighed . . . and said, “be opened.” Just moments before, a woman shamed Jesus to help her daughter. Even Jesus needed a remedial lesson. Be opened. It’s a risk, but who knows what you might see, hear, say, or do when you follow Jesus’ example of living and interacting with people here in the 21st century. That’s hard to do. It has always been hard.
I can hear Jesus sigh . . . at me.