Piet's Page November 12, 2006

The best seat in the House

As he taught, he said: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40 (NRSV)

I don’t know about you of course, but I sometimes get caught up in just a little bit of jealousy. Every once in a while I will see Ray Baker in a movie, or on TV. Now you may not know Ray, but years ago he and I were in school together, studying theatre in Denver. Once I even got to see Ray in a play, on Broadway - in New York City! Wow! We had lunch together afterwards, me and Ray! Wow! I know that you’ve never heard of Ray Baker, for he’s not “famous” – in spite of the fact that he’s had (very small) roles in movies with the likes of Sally Field and Tom Cruise. Wow! Think about it – Ray is at least close to those folks - maybe he can even have lunch with them! Fame, celebrity! Being pursued by a mob of photographers, getting on talk shows where suddenly you’re greeted with respect in our marketplaces (and do we ever know about marketplaces!), people listening as if you really have a clue as to what you’re talking about! Now that’s respect! You get the best seats in the house, walk on red carpets wearing either long robes or practically nothing at all! Wow!

Even in the church we have celebrities who do things like writing books and publishing their sermons in volumes resembling mini-bibles and they wear incredible long robes designed by an Italian fashion magnate and travel in high style to preach in churches where people fall all over themselves offering them the best pews in God’s houses. And all the while, who is being “devoured” in our day and time? I used to have ambitions about becoming well-known in academic theatre circles, and sometimes that got in the way of just being a good teacher and a good director , caring first and foremost about my own students. I still find myself taking on tasks which, in the final analysis, are more about seeking recognition and ‘respect’ than they are about living out my faith, and just being with the people I love and serve. Sometimes, the urge to wear long robes and to be recognized, and to get that best seat in the house – sometimes, that urge just gets the best of me – do you know what I mean? Sometimes, I think about Ray Baker. I like Ray, he’s a really nice man, and I truly am happy that he’s done OK. But you know what? I truly am happy to be where I am, and I truly do know and believe (in spite of those occasional urges) that any seat is the best seat in the House of God.

- Pastor Piet -
November 12, 2006