A WORD FOR TODAY, September 2, 2013 “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:15-17, ASV Sheldon Cooper is a brilliant man, more than a genius if you ask him, but he has trouble dealing with interpersonal relationships. He is particularly bad at understanding people’s feelings. He does not know what to say in times of grief or confusing. He sees the world through scientific eyes and has an answer for everything. We know, however, that pat answers do not always help a situation. And it doesn’t help to follow social conventions if that is not what a person needs to get through a problem. I’m talking, of course, about the character on “The Big Bang Theory.” Sheldon is very intelligent but he has no idea how to be a helpful, kind or compassionate person. He does not know how to speak to people who are dealing with times of sadness. The best he knows is to give his friends a hot beverage. That offer of hospitality is the way to deal with grief for him, to the point that he does not allow them to refuse his offer. There was an episode in which Penny was injured while taking a shower. Sheldon was the only one who was available to help her as the other guys were in the desert watching for meteors. Sheldon helped Penny, helping her dress, driving her to the hospital, filling out forms, driving her home, and helping her to bed. During the last scene, Penny was tipsy on pain killers and said to Sheldon, “You know, people think you’re this weird robot man who’s so annoying all the time, and you totally are, but then it’s like that movie Wall-E at the end. You’re so full of love, and you can save a plant and get fat people out of the floaty chairs.” In his own, weird way, Sheldon is a comforter, he’s just not comfortable doing it in an personal manner. Sheldon’s most awkward moments are when he has to touch someone or speak words of comfort to someone who is dealing with loss. “Here, here…” he says while he barely pats them on the back. It is funny on the show, but I’m sure a great many of us identify with his discomfort. We don’t know what to do when someone is in need. What do you say? Does that person even what to be touched? How is this going to make any difference to their situation? Being a comforter does not always require a hot beverage or a hug. It’s about being there. The passage today says that Jesus will send the disciples, and us, a Comforter. This was the promise of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God with us always. In the Amplified Bible, which gives synonyms of many words, includes the following list as possible translations for parakletos or paraclete: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby. Parakletos means “one called or sent for to assist another; an advocate, one who pleads the cause of another.” The Holy Spirit isn’t likely to get us a cup of hot beverage, pat us on the back saying “here, here” or even give us a hug, but He’s here to help us. Most of all, He is with us, and sometimes that’s the greatest comfort we can receive.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 15:10:17 +0000
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