All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. – 1 Timothy 6:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (March 17, 2018): 1 Timothy 6

Albert Einstein famously said that “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” I think that most of us would agree. There is nothing more annoying to our sensibilities than people who believe that they are above talking to anyone who is perceived to be below their station in life. To us, it reveals a character flaw that deflates our opinion of them. People who behave this way are often called “stuck up” or “snobby,” neither of which we aspire to be.

But there is another reality; while we may try to treat each other with the respect due to any human being, we also tend to mirror the respect that is given to us. Sometimes, the disrespect we perceive that is being aimed at us is only a reflection of the disrespect that we have given to other people. And what makes this an even bigger problem is that we are often blissfully unaware that we are projecting disrespect. The scenario plays itself out in social situations all over our society. People get mad because they feel disrespected when the disrespect that they have received is actually just a mirror of the disrespect, albeit unintentional, that they have been showing to others. Complicating this issue is the reality that we seem primed to react aggressively, often seeing aggression when none is being offered. And the result is that we do not treat each other equally, and we respect very few people in our circles of influence.

So Paul makes this argument. I believe that he is in perfect agreement with the words of Albert Einstein. Speak to everyone the same way, or maybe even better, consider everyone your equal or maybe even your superior. Give to them the respect that you want to receive. But understand the world in which we live. Some people are going to be snobs, and some are going to react aggressively because they have become damaged and expect aggression from you. When this happens, refuse to be a mirror. Set the higher example and continue to give respect to those around you, even when no respect is returned to you. Do this as your sacrifice and offering to God, so that your witness is not tainted or destroyed.

The truth is this; people are watching to see if this Jesus is really making a difference in our lives. And the difference that Christ makes is not usually visible when we are being respected. It is visible when people disrespect us, and we continue to return respect to them. Giving respect even when we are disrespected is not a sign of weakness, it is the recognition that they too are valued children of God, and as his children, each one of us is special and worthy of respect.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1

Welcome to the celebration of all things Irish. Happy St, Patrick’s Day.