Stand apart!

Today was a Communion Sunday but I didn't partake. During the sermon, the Pastor started talking about why the Church and Church leaders have higher priority than the needy when it comes to Charity. He weaved a web of convoluted arguments supposedly based on the Bible. It's concerning when spiritual leaders use their position of power to mislead people. He was pitching for a Church building. But, anyone who uses fear and guilt to convince people cannot be trusted. The misguided loyalty that makes peopls think that talking against the priests is equivalent to talking against God let them have their way.

He started with a priority order for charity 1) Church 2) Priests 3) Needy

1) He used the example of how Jesus allowed a woman to pour perfume on his head though it could have been used for the needy. He coveniently missed the part that she was preparing him for his burial because he won't be with them longer.

2) He explained how Ananias sold his property and placed it at the feet of the Apostles but died because he kept aside a portion for himself. That was again to prove how important it is to give to the Church with reference for Apostles. He either didn't know the context or was concealing it to pitch his theory. I don't know which one is worse.

The first century Christians sold their possessions so that they could take care of the needy. And, Ananias was shocked when he was caught for his hypocrisy. Using a partial reading to push the needy down in the priority order and seeing how people were smiling through it got on my nerves.

I gamed the options. Getting up from my seat to refute would cause a scene and embarrass him too. The best option was sending my argument on the WhatsApp group. Better visibility and that would also remind him that he has to be accountable. His power doesn't make him invincible. 'Someone has to' I thought.

This is what I shared. Forgive the typos and errors. I included a couple of verses to disprove his hypothesis. Hopefully, it's not rude. No one commented. That's a good sign since it's far easier to take the side of the Pastor.

If I were to compare today's incident with one of my poems, didn't want the crowd to be sheep ;)

The Crowd

There is an invisible spark in every crowd
Powerful enough to create a new life
It takes the shape of an animal
And, it keeps the mortals caged inside

Sometimes, it is a Lion
The generous spirit that respects even its kill
enough to carefully cover the leftovers with twigs
An offering, a gift,
left behind for the hungry beasts

Sometimes, it is a sheep
They bleat about the generous master
And, his gift - new shearing scissors

Sometimes, it is a squirrel
Well, all it does is squirreling
No one knows what they want
And, they don't care to find out
where they want to go

Sometimes it can be a hyena
And, everyone becomes no one
No one lynched him
No one raped the girl
No one bullied him to suicide

Let's teach our children
The secret of the crowd
That will help them to live without masks
Masters of their fate and slaves to none

Children, if you are in a crowd
Be the ones who add more light
Speak out even when it seems to matter little
Stand up and raise your voice
Don't whistle at her, this is not what we do
Don't push him down, this is not us
Words spoken in an elementary school
could change the story of everyone
So, be happy on your own
But, if needed in a crowd
Be ready to be its soul

-Sajithra