Roman politicians devised a plan in 140 B.C. to win the votes of the poor: giving out cheap food and entertainment, "bread and circuses", as it was referred to, would be the most effective way to rise to power.
… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses
That seems to be a good description of the world we live in today. While we face difficult challenges, both as individuals and as a nation, we seem more concerned with being entertained than facing the issues before us.
Television is filled with "reality" shows, but we refuse to face (and work to fix) our true realities. We are enamored with who will win American Idol, while we sit "idly" by as those in the most need suffer. We escape from what is really in front of us and occupy our minds with things that really don't matter. We wait with greater anticipation of the next app for our iPhone/iPad than we do for the restoration of the world we live in.
For example, this whole scandal with Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York. (If you have not heard about ti by now, just go to a news source - you can't miss it.) While we should be concerned with the lies and cover-up associated with his immoral choices (assuming we still recognize moral standards), we seem much too concerned with whether or not he will resign, rather than resigning ourselves to the real issues before us. We politicize the problems that face all of us, when we need to stop playing games and start facing the truth.
And I cannot help but wonder if we, by personal choice or by the influence of others, are not simply looking for "bread and circuses" instead of solutions.
The same can be said about our life in the church. Are we satisfied with being "entertained" at church - hearing good music - experiencing an inspiring or thoughtful sermon, but then living unchanged lives - going about life as usual? Do we place our focus on the quality of the "show" or on the quality (and quantity) of the Kingdom work being done?
I believe Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Church says it best: "The church is the hope of the world." I agree. The church is the hope of the world. But if we only concern oursleves with "bread and circuses", will we ever become the solution God has created us to be?
2 comments:
You said it so well. Amen.
Fran M.
Pastor;
I really loath those reality shows (except for American Pickers), but you are right we get enamored with the latest scandal, until the next one comes down the road. It just gets proven over and over again that we are all mortal sinners no matter what our status in life is.
Better to focus on something useful for our fellow man instead of dwelling on the bad stuff.
There is more to feeling all warm and fuzzy every Sunday and guilt for 10 minutes, how about bread for the hungry and circuses for less fortunate children?
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