Topic: Aliens
Halloween Day is a good time to remember that this holiday is supposed to be about nothing but fun.
It's also a good time to focus on how often we turn, or have been turned by others, into a "freak" when we speak the truth in love. The truth, as we understand it, that is. When it comes to doing so within the institutional church or to people who want to defend and protect the institution from facing the consequencs of it's past or present acts of discrimination and prejudice, we can very quickly find ourselves betrayed as freaks or monsters or even satanic!
Good to remember that no matter what masks people place on the messengers, we know that the masks and labels are no more the reality of who we are than the trick-or-treaters coming to our door this evening.
It's also important to remember to be careful that we do not put monster masks on others, too. For we do not know for certain what is in their hearts or behind their actions. We can only make an educated guess through the smokescreens of our own prejudices. Beware of the people you consider monsters or freaks. In the dark--especially right at dusk--we may fail to recognize that some of them are insecure children underneath the mask. Missing the opportunity to contribute to important changes that embrace the true freedom of Christianity.
Happy Halloween on this tricky Friday!
