I love traditions. Whether it be watching fireworks at the Fourth of July, the tossing of the bouquet at a wedding, or an annual family gathering, I find time-honored predictability somewhat grounding. In a world where chaos abounds, traditions remain. I think that’s why some people find comfort in rituals; I know I do.
Which is why I love watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I am not even into sports that much (well, unless the home team has made the playoffs, then all of a sudden, I care). But during the regular season, I don’t pay much attention. Yet there’s nothing regular about the Olympics. I love watching what other countries have cooked up for the ceremony. I love the pageantry; it’s always a spectacle and I am here for it. And the Paris opening ceremony was no different.
I watched it live because I wanted to see it as it was unfolding and not cleaned up by the networks. Even if it does get a little boring (how many speeches can one ceremony give), I hung in there. I confess as an American, when I saw the man playing the accordion on the bridge, I giggled, it seemed right out of cartoon or something. And when I saw that horse-like thing trailblazing on the water, I laughed out loud because it seemed so dark and serious. I was like, “dang the French are intense“. And when I saw what appeared to be a runway fashion show, I was a little confused because why is there a fashion show during the Olympics? But hey, France, you do you. I was very aware this was not an American opening ceremony.
So later on, when I found out there was this backlash in certain American Christian circles about the fashion show because some thought it was mocking The Last Supper- I was confused…again. That’s not what I saw.
To me, those that were seated and watching the fashion show looked like they had been invited to be there and it was a celebration-a party. It was as if they were saying, “all are welcome“. That’s it. That’s all. And I can’t help but wonder of those who were offended, how many of them watched the ceremony live and formed their own opinions before getting on social media and then deciding to let someone else interpret what they saw? Social media can be very persuasive that way.
As a Christian, I think being offended by the Olympics (or any television show) is a distraction at best. We are called to love people- I mean really love people. Our calling is simple. So, the question we should be asking ourselves is: “what does love look like?” What does it look like to love others? In a practical way. Does it look like feeding the poor? Does it look like giving someone undivided attention? What do you think love should look like?
Radical love has the power to change others- without judgement. And it’s really really really hard sometimes, but I think that’s our call, as Christians. Die to self.
I wasn’t raised in the church, yet I see that some who were, struggle with the difference between radically loving someone versus trying to manage someone’s behavior. I know there are Christians out there who are convinced that by telling others they are behaving badly, that that’s “showing them love” somehow. I think that’s a cop out. It’s simply easier to be offended -especially by those who may not share their same belief system. Why do some Christians get upset when non-Christians don’t act like Christians? It’s so backwards and the complete opposite of the heart of evangelism. I didn’t become a Christian because someone told me I was going to hell (although I know that guilt trip works on a lot of people). I became a Christian because a friend invited me to church and I ended up liking it. No fire and brimstone. No fearmongering. If love is the opposite of fear, why is there so much fearmongering among Christians? It’s like they don’t really trust the Holy Spirit to do a good work. Fearmongering is shallow and reveals our need to be in control. It’s afraid to love-truly love.
*steps off soap-box*
If you liked what you read, you should come out and watch me perform an excerpt of my one-woman show, “Born Again in Berkeley” on August 3rd and 11th in San Francisco. It’s about being a Born-Again Christian in the most liberal part of our nation and all the stereotypes that go along with it. I will be opening for one other performer at the “In Front of Your Eyes Festival” at the Marsh Theatre. Hope you can come out. And if you like what you see, I will be performing the entire show at the “Best of San Francisco Solo Series” in San Leandro in November!
Opening for Kathryn Seabron
Saturday, August 3 at 7pm
San Francisco Studio Theater
Opening for Elizabeth Du Val
Sunday, August 11 at 7pm
San Francisco Studio Theater
ENTIRE SHOW (60 min) -BORN AGAIN IN BERKELEY – November 23 & 24th – Best of SF Solo Series – Tickets at door only, no pre-sales.
San Leandro Community Library Center – Carnegie Lecture Hall (View)
300 Estudillo Avenue
San Leandro, CA 94577
Theresa Donahoe 