“HDTV”—a
pretty familiar acronym to anyone who watches TV or follows
progress in the world of electronics. It stands for “High
Definition TV,” a way of broadcasting that produces
a significantly superior picture for those who have the
kinds of TV sets that can receive the HD signal. I personally
don’t have one, but was at my sister’s house
a few weeks ago shortly after they had purchased and installed
one. I spent a few minutes watching a football game with
them and found it really mesmerizing. Spectacular detail—it
really did seem much more as though we were actually present.
In truth, even better than being present since we could
pause, replay, take a bathroom or snack break, watch in
temperature controlled conditions and never miss a play.
So, besides the cost of purchasing and installing one,
what’s not to like about it?
Apparently
a lot, if you happen to be a performer rather than a viewer.
Because it shows EVERY DETAIL, ordinary stage-makeup no
longer works to keep actors, newscasters and other on-air
personalities looking good. On HD TV, the usual make-up
looks awful, almost Frankenstein-like. According to one
observer, we can now “gaze not just at a news anchor’s
eyes but deep into his or her pores, lip creases and telltale
face-lift scars.”
All
of this, naturally, will lead to a new industry in HD
make-up, a new standard of beauty, and a lot of money
for certain entrepreneurs.
It
also leads me to start thinking about the Christian season
of Lent that begins on February 6 with a day called “Ash
Wednesday.” For much of the Christian world, many
will enter into a specific time of fasting and self-examination
for the forty day period preceding Easter. This is an
intentional time of walking with Jesus as he neared the
end of his physical life, endured the shameful and awful
death, and then surprised everyone by the resurrection.
Done
well, observing the discipline of Lent can be the equivalent
of putting your face onto a “HD” TV screen.
In other words, just like HD TV shows all the little flaws
in skin tone that everyone has, a careful engagement in
the practice of self-reflection can help us to see our
own flaws a little more clearly. In the HD TV world, the
appearance of those flaws means a dash to the latest make-up
counter. In the grace-filled Christian world, the appearance
of those flaws means a deeper gratefulness for the love
of God who invites us into the heavenly places of holiness
by the transformation of those very flaws into life-giving
hope.
I
know way, way too many people who don’t go to church
because they don’t think they are good enough to
be in church. In fact, the opposite is true: those who
are sure they are really good really don’t need
to bother with church. Church is for those who are seeking
to become more aware of their flaws so they can be wrapped
in the honest, forgiveness-filled and reconciling love
of God. It is our flaws that open our vulnerability to
this movement of all-encompassing love. While the HD TV
viewer may recoil in horror when the flaws of his or her
favorite TV personality are exposed, God instead says,
“Glad you figured it out—now let’s see
how we can use those very flaws to they become strengths
and means of grace to others.”
One
of the hardest concepts for many of us to understand is
this simple one: “God is not angry.” God is
not angry. God is NOT angry. God is overflowing with love
and the hope of reconciliation with humanity. Yes, God
is a God of justice, and so there must be wrath toward
those who perpetuate injustice against others. But the
seeking of justice is overlaid with transforming love
that says, “Come, enter in and know that I am good.”
“Come with all your flaws and imperfections and
hidden areas and angers and hatreds and intolerances and
let’s see how we can turn those into joy and hope
and reconciliation and a world filled with justice where
the Kingdom of Heaven looks like a beloved community.”
If
you’ve never tried engaging in the discipline of
Lent, I encourage you to consider it this year. We’ll
have the traditional “Service of Ashes” on
Wednesday, February 6 at both 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Krum
United Methodist Church, McCart and Second Streets. This
service marks the first day of Lent and gives instruction
and shape for the season. Let’s see how NOT to be
afraid of HDTV together! Anyone is welcome—church
member or not. We’ll guide you through the liturgy,
and offer a safe space for your own HDTV experience!
