Spittin' Mad

Mark 3:5 -- "He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts."

Goosebumps popped up all over my arms and legs. Good music does that to me and the music was awesome! There in front of me on this giant movie screen was a chopper full of bad guys caught in a web -- spun between the twin towers in New York city. What wonderful imagery! The bad guys were done in by an all American hero who utilized one of our most prized American symbols of power and yes, freedom.

But if you didn't happen to catch that particular trailer for Spider Man in 2001, you were not ever going to see it. They pulled it. Why? [I actually did just find this on YouTube. Type in Twin Tower Spider Man Trailer to see it.]

Somebody somewhere decided it was too offensive after the collapse of the World Trade Center in September of 2001. In my book - them's fightin' words.

Too offensive? What better way to celebrate US? Show 'em we took a hit but will stand back up to fight back! Let the world see our American hero fighting evil in memory of those who lost their lives on that horrible day in September. Don't hide from the imagery because you might offend somebody. It makes me spittin' mad!!
celebrate

Here in Mark chapter 3, Jesus is watching the Religious Upper Crust turn up their noses at some one in need because they were upholding the law. A law that THEY had interpreted in a very human way and chose to enforce in pompous piety. Why? Were they going to be offensive if they helped a fellow human being? And if it WAS actually decided that their kind actions WERE offensive -- who says so? ....and more importantly, who cares?

My point? There are moments when it is is O.K. -- even appropriate -- to be offensive. To be angry. Jesus was angry on more than one occasion and he didn't let what other people think get in the way of doing what was right.

Why do we?

I want to see that Spider Man trailer again. I want to see the World Trade Center in the fight against the bad guys. And yesterday? I want to see the ONE reporter who turned his camera off and ran into the smoke to help a person crying out in pain. I want to see him. After hearing on the radio the tenacity of reporters who were actually asking standers by for information on body parts - I want to see that one guy who didn't go looking for the mayhem. Where is HE?

Ya know what? I'm spittin' mad. I think ALL of us should be. Let them puff out their feathers when I use the Biblical definition of marriage, or parenthood, of leadership.  It's all right.  THEY will either get over it, or they won't -- but I'm not going to let that stand in the way of doing what is RIGHT.