(Not) Widely Known
Jennifer Brownell
July 11, 2018
"So his brothers said to Jesus, 'Leave here and go to
Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one
who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show
yourself to the world.'" - John 7:3-4
At the silent vigil, we are to walk three times in silence
around a building. Inside people who we believe are not criminals are being
detained as if they are. We are instructed to let each footfall be a prayer of
compassion for those inside, for their children who are far away. We are invited
to maintain total silence for an hour.
Left, right, left, right.
A single gong sounds a single note. A woman smiles silently
as she passes out crackers and water in little paper cups. Without a sound, a
few people wave marker-on-cardboard signs at a passing car or two. A couple of
mimes, negotiating a selfie with an adorable baby in a plaid hat. I notice
these things and then turn my attention again to my steps.
Left, right, left, right.
Our culture tells us that the only way change gets made is by
crying out, playing trumpets at top volume to bring the walls crashing down,
making ourselves widely known.
But, as we see in this little exchange from the gospel, Jesus
knows a different way. He knows that sometimes change gets made so quietly and
so subtly, it almost seems like a secret.
For an hour or so, more or less in silence, a motley
community of gong-players and water-servers and sign-wavers and baby-admirers
and prayer walkers knows it too.
Prayer
Jesus,
in silent times and noisy ones, let each step be a prayer. Amen.
Jennifer Brownell, Pastor of First Congregational Church in Vancouver, WA.
Jennifer Brownell, Pastor of First Congregational Church in Vancouver, WA.