Enough, Already!

I absolutely did not want to talk about Michael Jackson today — or even think about him, for that matter. I’ve heard enough, already. More than enough. It seems that we’ve been inundated by stories about his life since the instant he died.

I predict that it will only get worse. As the days go on, speculation regarding the cause of his demise, further revelations about his history, his health, and his habits, and squabbles over control of his estate and his relationships with his family and business partners will turn this into a three-ring circus. (A fact that might delight the deceased!)

But his passing is more than a blip on our cultural radar; something other than a “media generated phenomenon.” The responses to Michael Jackson’s death are too widespread, intense, and heartfelt to be manufactured — or to be ignored. It is a watershed event; an awakening to the realities of illness and mortality, very much as Elvis’ death was for an earlier generation.

Fame, Fortune, and Falling from Grace

There is no denying the impact Michael Jackson had on our culture. We’ve heard his music and seen his dance moves in stadiums and theaters, in 3-D at Disney parks, on MTV and VH1, in Pepsi commercials and in Weird Al Yankovic’s parodies.

Almost everyone between the ages of 7 and 77 has “moonwalked” at least once.

Disturbingly, almost everyone has seen his “perp walk” in front of the L.A. County courthouse, as well.

In the first publicized instance the charges against him were dropped, and he was acquitted in the case that came before a jury. Yet Michael Jackson’s reputation was permanently tarnished — by the testimony of witnesses as well as his own increasingly bizarre behavior. All but his most devoted fans turned away from the weird caricature of this once-stellar talent.

Finding Meaning

It would be easy enough, I suppose, to use this man’s death as a cautionary tale about bad choices, missed opportunities, the power and privilege of great wealth, and the transience of fame. Or to decry the pressure to be “beautiful” in our society, or bemoan the over-use of prescription medications.

In all of those ways Michael Jackson left us “the benefit of a bad example.” Yet others — in the entertainment industry, government, banking, and finance — have done far more without receiving half as much attention. It seems to me that the avid interest in his life — and in particular his death — leaves us with deeper, more personal questions.

Right now heated discussions are being waged over his legacy: how he will be remembered, what “history will say” about Michael Jackson. There are, broadly speaking, two opposing camps — equally passionate, equally certain their position is the right one.

One side claims that his public persona — his music, performances and showmanship — qualify “Jocko” for near-sainthood. The other considers Michael Jackson’s private life — particularly what was, at the very least, inappropriate conduct with young children — as grounds to consign him to the scrap heap of human history.

Then there are the rest of us — the majority, I’m guessing — who waiver somewhere in the middle.

Judgment

I loathe and despise child abusers. When I look into my heart I find no sympathy for them. The results of their actions on the innocent are reprehensible, inexcusable, toxic and long-lasting. Hearing what they have done, seeing the suffering they leave in their wake; the emotional and physical damage that they do, angers and outrages me.

I have always thought that, if I were God, I would condemn them to the third ring of Hell.

Using that determination, then, would I send Michael Jackson to Hell? Would I decree that his soul should suffer endless torments and the agony of eternal separation from God — if the decision were mine to make?

No! of course not! To even suggest such a thing makes our hearts ache and brings tears to our eyes.

Neither Black or White

There was — as there always seems to be — more to the story.

Michael Jackson was not only a horribly disfigured “pervert.” Somewhere inside was the cute little kid with the infectious grin; the handsome, self-assured young man with the sparkly suits and single glove; the dynamic, thrilling performer; the generous benefactor of charitable organizations around the world; the son, the brother, the friend. We cannot separate one from the others.

Perhaps that’s why so many of us don’t want to hear about Michael Jackson. Maybe that is why we felt we’d heard “too much” about him from the first mention of his death: every report leaves us feeling sad, confused, ambivalent.

He doesn’t fit into any of our neat little categories: good/bad; innocent/guilty; saint/sinner; being greeted by angels/in need of an asbestos overcoat. His life was complex; a mixture of great gifts, lofty ideas, and good intentions combined with terrible failings, poor judgment, and unbridled egotism.

Those facts are upsetting. We’d prefer for our heroes — and our villains — to be readily identifiable. We want to be able to make a quick assessment of everyone we meet, label them accordingly, and be done. Set it and forget it; leaving no room for later course corrections or reevaluations.

Such an attitude makes life simpler, certainly. But it leaves us hard-hearted, closed-minded, and isolated — far from the model of faithful witness that Jesus asks of us.

Understanding and Hope

Not one human person is “worthy” of God’s love, no one among us “deserves” divine mercy and forgiveness. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God — it is only a question of degree. No one on earth can presume to know whether another is saved or condemned: that judgment is the Beloved’s alone.

What we do know is that God’s grace is greater than our sins.

Our loving Creator has implanted in every human soul a spark of grace: the capacity for joy, the recognition of beauty, and a deep and abiding longing for love and for understanding. It is the aspect within us that is set to “God’s wavelength.” There are times in all of our lives when we hear the divine Word perfectly, and times when we have missed the message. So it was with our brother, Michael.

We Are the World

Virtual hugs and real-time blessings,

Deborah +

This Week's Spiritual Exercise

Offer this prayer each day, and give special thanks to all those whom the Beloved brings to mind:

We praise Thee for all who have made God real to us
in the words they have spoken in our youth,
the things they have done for us in our pilgrimage.

      (based on the prayer Nearer to That Expectancy
        by George F. MacLeod)