Not Because No One Knew

Yesterday I mentioned the "Entertainment Weekly" expanded feature on the upcoming movie "Sex in the City." You can't go through the day without watching a commercial, driving past a billboard, flipping past a print ad, or channel surfing past an interview with one or more of the actresses promoting the movie opening. If this movie tanks, it won't be because no one heard of the movie or knew when it was opening. I know it's billed as more than just a film about four women and their counterparts: shoes, fashion, romance and THE City. The real victory of the movie is that it's about four women over the age of forty. Ground breaking! Revolutionary! A hallmark of filming history! Okay, I was raised with a cynic (oops, I mean a realist) who would be raising an eyebrow right about now wondering if all the glitz and drama promoting the film is a bit overkill. I start wondering if all of the energy that has been invested to promote the movie could be channeled into a different campaign, what could be accomplished. It's not that I'm virtuous and can brag that I've never seen an episode when it was on TV. I have. Several! It's not that I will take a stand and refuse to go to the movie - I don't go to any movies because I fall asleep (even through Independence Day). It's just a bit of sadness when I see so much energy and money devoted to any entertainment release, fragrance unveiling, soft drink additive or floor wax improvement! They eventually will succeed or fail by their own merit, but they won't fall short because no one knew, or did not hear of their product.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, Let us be bold with our energy, with our words and with our actions to lobby for the advancement of your kingdom. Let us concentrate our efforts on issues that will enhance people's lives and replenish your creation. Let us be wise in the choices we make to expend our energies and to set our priorities. We pray that our nation's leaders follow the path to charity, and bypass the highway to greed. We pray that our congregation's leaders make choices that reflect fair trade and equality. Victory does not resolve using our terms, but is pronounced by you alone. Above all, O God, let us be bold in our declarations of your love and majesty, so that not one person can cry out in despair that they did not know of your grace and did not hear of your love. Amen.