Reverence for the Holy One

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Kevin Smith film Dogma. Perhaps it's not safe to say this in church, certainly not from the pulpit, but it's one of my favorite comedies, not least because Smith cast George Carlin in the role of Cardinal Glick. Now Carlin may be the most famous graduate of the Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, but he is certainly not the most likely spokesperson from the Roman Catholic Church, or, for that matter, any Christian church.

In the film, Cardinal Glick is heading up something called the "Catholicism Wow" campaign. "Catholicism Wow" is a parody of those faddish efforts to appear relevant and hip that a certain type of Church official promotes, but which never quite seem to hit the mark. Carlin plays the good cardinal as kind of a sleazy advertising exec who is pitching a new logo. Glick intends to replace the crucifix with something he calls the "Buddy Christ," a smiling, winking, pointing Jesus, giving a huge thumbs up to humanity. This, apparently, is the kind of upbeat rebranding that will bring the kids back to Church-- one that will finally succeed after many others have failed.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Carlin says as the press conference begins, Now we all know how the majority and the media in this country view the Catholic church. They think of us as a passé, archaic institution. People find the Bible obtuse... even hokey. Now in an effort to disprove all that the church has appointed this year as a time of renewal... both of faith and of style. For example, the crucifix. While it has been a time honored symbol of our faith, Holy Mother Church has decided to retire this highly recognizable, yet wholly depressing image of our Lord crucified. Christ didn't come to Earth to give us the willies... He came to help us out. He was a booster. And it is with that take on our Lord in mind that we've come up with a new, more inspiring sigil. So it is with great pleasure that I present you with the first of many revamps the "Catholicism WOW " campaign will unveil over the next year. I give you... The Buddy Christ. Now that's not the sanctioned term we're using for the symbol, just something we've been kicking around the office, but look at it. Doesn't it... pop?

Now, for those of you who aren't familiar with the Buddy Christ, I have a small one with me today for you to examine after the liturgy. I'll leave it to your judgment, brothers and sisters, whether it "pops" or not, but that's kind of beside the point, isn't it? While Jesus is certainly our friend, he is not our buddy. He certainly knew how to laugh--and, if we can believe the Gospels, he was often found at the center of feasting and celebration--but he was never simply our smiling, winking pal.

And, I think that's what's at stake in a much misunderstood verse from today's Psalm. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Fear, in this context, does not mean the kind of cowering subservience that an abused slave might show a violent master. It has to do with reverence for the Holy One. When we come face to face with the living God, as we do in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are in the presence of the Savior and Judge of all people and nations. We are confronted with a mercy and goodness that intimately concerns us--with a light that exposes the deepest truth of who we are, then loves us and makes us whole.

The key to interpreting the verse is found in the rest of the Psalm, which concerns the great and marvelous works of the Lord--works of faithfulness and justice, works of redemption. By these works, God has established an everlasting covenant with Israel. By these works, our Lord has invited even us Gentile sinners to feast with him in God's Kingdom.

I don't say this to disparage Dogma or the kind of irreverent humor we find there. It is after all one of my favorite movies. I think that part of what makes the film so funny is that it comes from a place of respect for the things of the Faith--matters like the love, mercy, justice so central to the biblical witness. If Smith's humor risks offending the pious, it has nothing to do with the deeper blasphemy that uses religion to oppress human beings. He has a taste for the divine that enables him to satirize the foibles and sins of the Church in a way that points us to truth. Something that is sadly lacking from George Carlin's own published reflections on religion.

The reason the Buddy Christ image is so funny is that it fails--epically--to capture what the Christian Faith is all about. I'm fairly certain that Kevin Smith knows it, whether he considers himself a believer or not.

The crucifix and the One who bleeds and dies there for lost and suffering humanity is worthy of our reverence and holy fear. He is always relevant to the struggles of ordinary people who live with grief, injustice, and pain. He is always relevant as we try to find our way in the midst of uncertainty and pervasive anxiety.

And I am convinced that way forward in mission and ministry lies not in slick salesmanship and embrace of the latest fad--but in believing the Gospel and striving to live it out.

For the victory of Christ Crucified over all that enslaves us--over every demonic power that corrupts and destroys the children of God--is what the Church is called to preach and live before a watching world.

He is the foundation of a faith that never fails.

No matter what the economy does.

No matter what wounds us and compromises our freedom.

No matter where we're from or who our family is.

No matter what suffering or grief life may bring our way.

Jesus Christ provides a hope and love that changes everything.

Truly, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Holy and awesome is his Name.