And David went on kinging and all. Yeah,
he was God’s man and yeah, this was messy, even sinful, but now it was over and
on we go. Except that’s not the way God works and so the prophet Nathan was
tasked with the job of calling out the King. That had to be an
interesting exchange between the Almighty and His human voice. You want me to do WHAT??? The
prophet had to know that with one flick of his wrist, David could call for his
death.
Nathan showed up and told David about a
guy in the kingdom who had killed his neighbor’s pet ewe for a party dinner
instead of taking one of his own...and he had a bunch. David seethed, but not
for long. He proclaimed that this sheep killer should die. And then Nathan made
the metaphoric leap: You are that man.
BAM! David heard the word and felt the
judgment. David sought forgiveness and Nathan kept his head. However, and this
was the point, David’s sin, though forgiven, still carried penalties. In this
case, Nathan told him that the child would die; and there were a few more
consequences that, if you believe in biblical history, affected the nation of
Israel to the present day.
And then after church, several
congregants gathered around a kitchen table and held discussions about guilt
and forgiveness in today’s world. One erudite observer opined that it seems
that the uttering of “I’m sorry” is seen as a wipe-the-slate kind of thing. Like
there should be no consequences. If parental/school/employment punishment is
advanced, the rule breaker will whine “But I SAID I was sorry.” Like that
should erase any consequences for bad actions. We discussed how things were
when “we” were little and how nobody worried about our self-esteem when we screwed
up. We also, all of us, have vivid memories of choosing badly, experiencing the
consequences and then never repeating the wrong. Folks used to call that good
learning.
So, feeling a bit smug…those Things Were
Different/Better discussions will do that…I place my hand around a perfect,
round tomato on the table.
Big Eyes: WHERE did you GET that???
Well, as I was strolling through the
neighbor’s garden, I spied this beauty, deep, deep, deep inside the tomato
plants. Plural as in dozens. You almost couldn’t see it as it was hidden by the
lush greenery. But I spied it, slid my hand into the bush and plucked it. It
took no effort. It was ready to fall. And this is a friend’s garden. I just
figured No Big Deal.
However, apparently at least one at our confab
had suffered some distress when she plucked a similar fruit. She had been told
she was NOT to do that. “But, it’s ok that you did. In fact, it’s a
relief,” she said.
Ok. I don’t know what all that drama was
about but I guess it’s purloined spoils but it’s not like you can put it back. I also knew that 1) there are so many, so so
many tomatoes ready and more coming and 2) it’s not like I was stealing: I’ve
been given carte blanche in the same garden for raspberries and blackberries. Although
another sermon note is that when we sin or screw up (whatever term you choose), we look for ways to
justify what we have done so this is my illustration of that very good point.
I guess I could apologize but, honestly,
it would be insincere.
All of this gave me pause until I walked home, sliced up that beauty and
lay it across green beans from some else’s garden. I had a very good lunch. And
then, I remembered a poem, which embraces in the taking of fruit, and fake
regret. |
| mmmmmmmm |
This Is Just to Say
by William Carlos Williams
I
have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
Hmmmm. Time to ponder.
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
Hmmmm. Time to ponder.
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