When we lived in Scranton, years ago, the zoo at Nay Aug Park received a new elephant to replace old Tillie, who passed to wherever faithful elephants go. The zoo and newspapers immediately started a campaign to “Name the Elephant”. This would have been a better story if I could remember the winning name! Scriptures for this coming weekend deal with restoring breaks in relationships, whether one-on -one or in the greater community. We’ve been taught to be proper, non-offensive and polite–with the consequence that we’re unwilling to recognize the elephant in the room.
Ezekiel follows the rules for prophetic preaching: he identifies a break with God AND then offers a positive alternative. The oracle which we call Chapter 33:7-11 could be seen as a “turn or burn” ranting…or it can find use in the disciple’s daily intersection with others. Many of us feel uncomfortable with being a “sentinel” for the community: “Who am I to instruct others?” But Yahweh takes no delight in the death of the wicked, “but [hopes] that the wicked turn from their ways and live”. Further, Ezekiel claims that this actually MATTERS to Yahweh! Who will name the elephant?
Paul exhorts the Roman Church to the responsibilities of community: “The commandments…are summed up in this word, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Romans 13:9) Wake up! Put aside the works of darkness! And first we have to admit to what these are. As transformed and growing toward Perfection, the faithful friends are to encourage society to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (13:14) Elephants near here?
The worshiping Church to which Matthew wrote may well have had unpleasant arguments within. This unique portion of the Gospel (18:15-20) gives guidelines to resolving inner conflicts: point out the fault when alone, one on one; if conflict endures, take two or three friends to help negotiate a settlement; if the friction persists, bring it to the floor of the congregation. And if the problem continues, ONLY THEN put the offender out of the community. But it’s better to Name the Elephant than to pretend to be nice, all the time backbiting and whispering! Now THOSE are things that destroy health in the church!
Pointing out problems needn’t be anger driven; level headed persons can talk it through and name the elephant in the room before anger and spite develop. None of us will ever see eye to eye with everyone–but if concerns can be named and addressed speedily, less friction and pouting will occur…. This is part of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about scripture readings assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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