I experienced an interesting ecclesial paradox today:
Morning: The sermon at church was on the passage in James in which the believers are chastised for showing favoritism – welcoming the rich to sit up the front, while the poor have to settle for second best. There was a hard-hitting application to our own church context.
Afternoon: My wife & I attended a function at a church school – I was hoping to chat to those involved. When we were greeted at the door, we were asked whether or not we were special guests. On learning that we weren’t, the girl said, “Oh okay, well you can sit up the back then.” At the end of the function, we all stood as the special guests and dignitaries were swiftly ushered out of the building and into a private reception in a nearby building. By the time the rest of us got outside, there was nothing left to see or do – so we went home.
hmmm
Reminds me of a similar situation at my children’s Christian school years ago — the student usher on being informed that we weren’t “special guests” responded, “My parents aren’t special either — you can sit next to them over there.”.
Ishmael
hehe… there’s a certain prestige that comes with not being special!