Mark Katrick faith column: Focus more on your own actions and less on those of others
It took me several months, but I finally was able to wash the last few remnants of ashes in the cracks and crevices of my hands from our Ash Wednesday service. And yes, I’m exaggerating.
Exaggeration (or hyperbole) is sometimes used to get people’s attention and to make a point — like the lead to a column or in the opening of a sermon. My preaching professor at Ashland Theological Seminary, Charles Munson, called these kinds of stories, jokes and quotes, “hooks” to “reel them in.”
Jesus went “fishing for people” (Mark 1:17) by making use of hyperbole in his parables. An example of this is when he opened his Sermon on the Mount: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” Matthew 7:1-2. Then, he followed with these eye-opening (pun intended) and thought-provoking questions:
Mark Katrick faith column: With freedoms come responsibilities, in roundabouts or in life
“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye?” (verses 6 and 7)
And if that isn’t enough to capture their attention, he closes this portion of his message by exclaiming, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye!” (verse 8)
This brings me full circle to the point I’m trying to make: My father was a hard-working man. No matter how many times he lathered and rinsed his hands with the harshest of soaps, he still had specks of dirt in his hands, especially on these hot, sweaty midsummer days.
When Dad wasn’t making a living as a steelworker, he was working Mom’s flower and vegetable gardens, changing the oil in one of his cars or repairing something or another at Grandpa’s house. Yet, at the end of the day, he always made time to do the things he loved to do with the ones he loved to do them.
Mark Katrick: Much like on summer mission trips, look to God for hope on those rainy days
After hearing and responding to God’s call to the ministry, I discerned the best and most effective approach to ministry is “blue collar.” Since the only other times I got my hands dirty was on mission trips, I set about working with them in a figurative sense.
This means more typing with read-throughs on my sermons and columns, more breaking bread and pouring grape juice during communion calls and praying hands throughout the week for the concerns and celebrations lifted up on Sundays.
And now, as a spiritual guide, this means more time spent cracking open devotional books and jotting down God-inspired words, expressions, sayings and symbols in my prayer journal.
Whatever you happen to do for a living, don’t waste time sitting in judgment of others. If you’re going to get your hands dirty, literally or figuratively, spend time putting your God-given gifts and talents to work for the betterment of all. Then, at the end of your work day, wash and lather, take deep breaths and relax into the things you love to do with the ones you love to do them.
Mark Katrick is a pastor and spiritual guide.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mark Katrick faith column: Don't sit in judgement of others