Sue Agnew

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today is the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist. It is believed that he is the “John, whose other name was Mark” mentioned in Acts 12:25, and also in the last verse of today’s epistle reading (2 Timothy 4: 1–11): “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry.” 

Earlier verses in the 2 Timothy passage read “For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.” (verses 3–4)

What a great image—“itching ears” causing people to pick and choose the “truths” they wish to listen to. I think many of us would interpret those who “turn away from listening to the truth” as people who believe in the “prosperity gospel” or belong to a church that vilifies certain groups who are on the margins. People who use prayers to glorify war.

Indeed so. However, it might behoove us to look at ourselves, how our ears might itch and what we might wander away to. (Or, in these days of doom scrolling on devices, “itching eyes” might be an appropriate metaphor.)

This was brought home to me in early April when I was desultorily flipping through stories on Facebook. What finally stopped me abruptly was reading that the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was installing bidets in the loos—that was surprising, and then preposterous, enough that I realized it was April Fool’s Day.

But what, on April 2 and beyond, might we be reading uncritically that goes along with what we think is true? Because what we are reading corroborates our beliefs, what do we accept as fact without questioning the source?

And what do we do about it? Of course, seek out the same information in different sources that are rated as neutral or balanced. And listen for that little feeling (that “itching gut”) that reminds us we are being fed an emotion to be manipulated. 

And then, take a deep breath. Get up and stretch. Notice something beautiful. Say something kind to someone. Remember to look for the light.

All a leaf knows
about building a tree
is to turn towards the light.
—(from “How to Build a Tree” by James A. Pearson)

Yours in Christ,

—Sue