Greetings and all good wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, OK. Your keeping in touch with us "offsite-online" is appreciated.
A story is told of a faithful church member who rocked back and forth as the pastor denounced dancing, drinking and gambling, crying "Amen". But when the pastor denounced gossip she sat bolt upright and muttered loudly, "Wouldn't you know it! He's begun meddling."
The Old Testament prophet, Amos, was chief among meddlers. He lived in the 8th century before Christ in the southern kingdom of Judah. A blunt, plain spoken man, Amos went to the northern kingdom of Israel, where he denounced its policies and practices.
He condemned Israel for oppressing the poor and powerless. As a result, he was branded a meddler.
Amos' attitude is echoed in the words of William Faulkner, when he wrote: "I love my country to want to cure its faults and the only way I can cure its faults within my vocation is to shame it, to criticize it...to show the difference between its evil, its good, its moments of honesty, integrity and pride. Just to write about the good qualities won't change the bad ones."
The value of criticism, even of harsh words, must be grounded in loving concern and passion for a better world for all people.
With blessings and all good wishes,
Richard
No comments:
Post a Comment