I’m not quite sure what to make of the depiction this week
of a giant breakdancing Jesus opposite an iconic Banksy painting. At one level
I’m thrilled, Jesus for once isn’t all gentle Jesus meek and mild; he’s standing
upside down on one hand for goodness sake. In words my daughter might use he
looks pretty hench! On the other hand
this is Jesus we’re talking about and I guess some people might be
offended. Or worse still this is Jesus
opposite a Banksy, perhaps some Banksy fans might be offended!
In the
end though I’ve decided I like it, we all, including us religious need a bit of
shaking up occasionally. Actually that is exactly what Jesus did, the main
criticism he received was that he partied too much… hardly an accusation
levelled regularly at his followers!
When people moaned at him he responded, we played the flute and you
didn’t dance we sang a dirge and you didn’t mourn. That’s the real trick we need to learn; when
is it right to let your hair down and party and when are the times to go easy,
to sit quietly, perhaps even to mourn and reflect on the people or things we’ve
lost. Generally speaking we tend to do one or the other. Either partying all the
time, not appreciating the struggles others go through, or down in the dumps,
not really enjoying the beauty all around us. So there’s my thought if you’re a
misery cheer up and if you’re a hedonist grow up. Or as Jesus put it weep with
those who weep but really laugh with those who laugh. I reckon if we try hard enough we can even do
that standing upside down on one hand!
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