Walking around campus on my lunch hour is nice. It's particularly nice when the students are on break for the week, and it's nice and quiet. In a city, that's something rare to find: quiet. But Thanksgiving Break is a wonderful time to be out and about, even if it's rather unseasonably cold this year.
As I wandered, I saw a statue that is, after some 50 years or so, getting repaired. Yes, for those who have seen it, know to avoid "the circle," etc, The statue that was labeled by me and my cronies as we went through the university here as "Scary Jesus" is getting repaired, and eventually, moved to a new location. For those who've not seen Scary Jesus - this is a very modern take on the Crucified Christ erected in the 1960's. Like any art, it is an interpretation, nothing more. And, it was the 60s, so.....it looks a little misshapen when you're close to it. From a distance, it looks pretty decent. Standing next to it, yeah, it's pretty scary-looking. The problem is that the wooden cross to which the bronze figure is attached is rotting, and both for safety and preservation, it needs to be repaired.
But, as a quick "stop-gap" and safety measure, the figure has been ratchet-strapped to the cross. I rounded the corner of a building and was looking straight at it. It was, in a word, humbling. No, that sculpture itself isn't what caught me off-guard. I've seen it these past 18 years, and so I was expecting to see it. But the thought occurred to me how, in this festive time, when we are to be thankful for friends and family, and as we embark on another season of Advent for the Christian communities of this world, how we tend to lose the meaning of the season. How we bind Christ to that cross, by wrapping presents, by trimming trees, by enjoying the excesses of our world, and forgetting the meaning of the season.
Now, I am not suggesting that those of you out there who are against formal and organized religion must "believe." Far from it. But, I have seen many people complaining how stores are opting to stay open on Thanksgiving. There are many memes, chain letters, calls for boycotts, etc - all saying what a shame it is that people will be made to work on Thanksgiving, all because the greed of corporate America simply does not care about families, about togetherness, about the Brotherhood of Man. And when I saw that figure, strapped tightly to that cross, all I could think of is how we, too, are binding that spirit of giving tighter and tighter.
Before anyone gets the idea that this is going to be me going off on a rant about how Christianity is being stifled, let's pause. Every country, every religion, every tribe, every culture - indeed, every person - has their heroes. These are men and women who have contributed something of such great worth that they deserve to be remembered. They come from many walks of life - some were religious figures, others were military folk, some were politicians, and some were men and women of science. The facts are, they've come from all walks of life, but they all did something great: They gave of themselves. Some gave so they could receive, and some just gave because they felt it was right. It doesn't matter - they simply GAVE. Many gave themselves to a cause, completely, and to their deaths. It is this spirit of giving that makes them worthy of remembrance.
While it may seem a trite notion, and more like me justifying a self-righteous attitude, I can't help but stop and think, "What do I give, and from where do I give it?" Does it come from the heart, or from a checkbook, or a store? Do I give because it's right, or because someone expects me to do it? Do I try and give "things" or do I try and give of myself? These are questions I must answer, and I'm not sure I always want the honest answers. I think, perhaps, the more important question - for me, at least - is in my giving, no matter how I choose to do it, am I practicing that same spirit of giving that so many have lived for, and perhaps died for? Or, am I taking that spirit of giving and binding it up tightly?
That's a heck of a thought for a Monday.
Thanks for reading,
The Fat Kid
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