So I recieved an infraction for my joke about what INRI means. Deservedly so, yes.
At first pride kicks in…
those blankety blank moderators, can’t anyone take a joke, I’ll bet Jesus had a sense of humor, and so forth. I actually went to bed but the thought of the examination of concience I use before confession came to my mind. I got out of bed, booted the laptop and looked at my bulleted list
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT: “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides me.”
- Have I committed the sin of sacrilege such as profanation of a sacred person, place or thing?
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT: “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.”
- Did I take the name of God in vain? Did I make use of God’s name mockingly, jokingly, angrily, or in any other irreverent manner?
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not kill.”
- Was I an occasion of sin for others by way of conversation; the telling of jokes which are
religiously, racially or sexually offensive; dressing; inviting somebody to attend certain shows; lending of harmful books or magazines; helping someone to steal, etc? Did I try to repair the scandal done? How many persons did I lead to sin? What sins were involved?
There it is, right in front of me. If I use this list to accuse myself before God, can I dismiss it in front of my fellow members of Christ’s body? I can’t deny it. Pride won’t do any good.
So an apology is in order. Though my intent was not disrespect of God, I managed it pretty well anyway. How easy it is to slip. It’s just a joke (one thinks) and next thing you know I’m not only profaning the sacred, but leading other’s to do so as well, and that is what really bothers me. I hijacked the thread pretty well too. And it’s been that way for the past few days. I got pulled over for speeding the other day. I knew better and did it anyway. It’s been this way for the past few days.
And so I do apologize. No excuses. I understand your disgust. The infraction was deserved. I have no doubt about God’s ability or willingness to forgive and hope that my fellow members of Christ’s body can do the same.
-Tim-