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MONK'S MUSING
From Pastor Janell Monk
The small pocket Oxford Minidictionary I purchased, while studying in London, has travelled many miles over the years. It resides in my office desk, and I opened it this week to look up the words used in our Gospel. Jesus identifies five of the bridesmaids as foolish and five as wise. My silly brain read foolish and thought, stupid. Somewhere I made the connection that the opposite of wise is stupid. Looking at the dictionary, I realized my assumption was incorrect.
Here is what the dictionary reminded me. Stupid: not clever, slow at learning or understanding, and a state of stupor. Foolish: lacking good sense or judgment, ridiculous. Wise: showing soundness of judgment, having knowledge, aware, informed.
Looking at these definitions, it is clear to see the connection between wise and foolish. I do not know where I learned to associate stupid as the opposite of wise and yet, it readily came to the forefront of my thoughts. It got me wondering what other words, images, or idioms we have used throughout history. How have they uplifted people and how have they been harmful.
Dating back to the 16th Century the word queer meant “strange, odd, or peculiar”. In the 20th Century queer was used as an insult or slur to single out persons with unconventional gender expression and non-heterosexual identities. My pocket dictionary defines queer: strange, odd, eccentric, slightly ill or faint and as a derogatory for homosexual. Beginning in the 1980’s some members of the LGBT+ community began to reclaim queer as an affirming word. However, others, continue to view the term queer as harmful. Still more find the term “queer” more appealing than the ever-growing LGBTQIA+ acronym.1
The words we use and the way we engage with our beloved siblings have an influence. As I have reflected this week on the difference between wise and foolish bridesmaids in our Gospel; I am grateful to have left behind my first inclination that the foolish bridesmaids were stupid. The meaning of their behavior has grown ever more significant as I contemplate what I will share in my sermon on Sunday.
Similarly, it can be helpful to learn unfamiliar terms. Folks have been asking what SOGIE is. It is an acronym for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression. We will learn more at the SOGIE watch parties! The first one is this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. We will watch a 52-minute video that explains this acronym as well as highlight how this population of God’s beloved are represented and targeted in the United States. The video is informative and I look forward to our conversation as we reflect and respond to what we see and hear.
All ten of the bridesmaids get drowsy and fall asleep while waiting for the Bridegroom. It is only the ones who have prepared themselves for any delay that are ready to enter into the banquet. I give thanks to everyone who helps us prepare for worship each week. Thank you, readers, assisting minister, ushers, altar guild, choir, and staff. Your preparation enhances our worship experience.
Blessings of Hope
Pastor Janell
she/her
[1] https://www.identiversity.org/topics/lgbtq-identities/the-q-in-lgbtq
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