Nothing Really Matters
Scripture - Luke 6: 37–49
Rev Andy Braunston
Introduction
The ability to reinvent herself is one of Madonna’s trademarks. She says that she never wishes to repeat herself, artistically, musically or otherwise. This attitude combined with a desire to shock and express herself as an artist has caused some controversy. Her video in 1989 for Like a Prayer linked images of sexuality and religion – causing a lucrative deal with Pepsi to collapse. In 1990 MTV refused to broadcast a video of Justify My Love which had Madonna kissing another woman – however, they did broadcast Madonna kissing other women in 2003. Her 1992 book Sex left very little to the imagination and she bared her soul and so much more. Now her image seems to be more about politics questioning the war in Iraq. She says: “I am not ashamed of who I was ten years ago….I thought I was going to liberate all the women of the world….everyone changes and everyone grows – that’s what happens to human beings. It’s been an incredible ride, adventure, test – whatever you like to call it – only I don’t want people to dress like me anymore – I want them to think like me.”
It is very difficult to separate Madonna’s music from her various images over the years. Many people have felt that she has gone too far, particularly with her sexual bravado, but also with her provocative religious images, which some, including the Pope, have seen as blasphemous. She seemed to have no barriers when it came to what she would do or be, and people have loved or hated her for it. Now, she has come to a realisation that image really isn’t important – a little odd for someone who has invested so much time and money in developing one!
When being interviewed following the release of her “Ray of Light” album, Madonna said of the track “Nothing Really Matters”
“It’s a song about the realisation that the only thing that matters in life is the realisation that the only thing that matters is loving people. There’s a line in the song where I say “Nothing takes away the past like the future” I truly believe that no matter what you’ve done in your life, no matter how bad you perceive it to be, you can always change where you are. “
Many of us struggle with the image people have of us and the reality that is under the surface. For those of us who are lgb or t there is an image problem. Others will make assumptions about us simply because of the label and we also find that there is pressure to live up to certain stereotypes. My best friend is gay but loves mechanics and playing with car engines – he doesn’t fit the stereotype. Trans people that don’t to have surgery and live between two worlds get lots of pressure to conform one way or another as their image isn’t right for the politically correct thought police! Many lesbians and gay men are profoundly uncomfortable with bisexuals; indeed many bisexuals name themselves “straight” or “gay” when the truth is rather different. We all want to confirm to certain images or stereotypes.
Jesus and Image
Jesus’ rather hard words in our gospel reading shake us up. Today’s reading reminds of the Biblical truth that we should abstain from judging other people; image is one of the most basic ways we judge other people, before we hear or get to know them. We so often make judgements on folk because of how they look; their features, hair, clothes, we ask ourselves are they pleasing to our eyes? If not, then we can be very dismissive of other people. This is the way of our world.
We are so preoccupied with others that we fail to see ourselves as we really are. We get taken in by our own image. We can criticise others for not being fashionably dressed, but fail to see the canker of bitterness within ourselves. We can be appalled at the political views of another or the paper they read but forget the poor around us. We can be so critical of those who don’t come out of the closet, but forget how we treat those who are different to us. The gospel challenges us to think beyond identity and how we see others – easily seeing the faults and flaws in others but not being realistic about ourselves.
It would be easy to stand here and trot out some blithe homily, about how Madonna’s sentiment is all we need “Love people and don’t be bothered by image”. But the truth is that image is very important to us. Image helps to shape us – the role models we encounter in our formative years – the people we see on the television, and we wonder “are they like us?” or “do I have to be like them?”
We live in an age where soap operas have well rounded gay and trans characters in them-but it was not always so. The image we project to the outside world is influenced so much by the communities we aspire to be a part of. It helps us to be and feel accepted
For those who are on a Trans journey, the image that others see from the outside may be at odds with the inner self awareness and self image – so it becomes important to bring the two into balance with each other – being bothered about image does not have to be a bad thing.
The reading today reminds us to look towards ourselves before looking elsewhere – our own character and identity before we consider challenging other folk because of how they act or how they look.
Reconciling our inward nature with our outward appearance is a journey that we all have to face as Christians; this is not just a task for trans people! The role models and images we saw in our formative years may not have been positive ones. This is one of the hardest challenges that Jesus puts to us.
Each of us belongs to a different set of communities, each of these communities can impose values and images onto us – we are faced with a choice of conform or not. Would Margaret, for instance, turn up with her Manchester City season ticket in a Manchester United shirt?
If you’re on the gay scene – then it is often seen as a virtue to be bitchy, to always be ready with the quick fire putdown; dare we be different and loving and kind?
The labels we choose to identify with give us these goals to aspire to and it can be very easy to fall in with values that contradict with our faith.
Our Christian Image
The most important part of our Christian identity is the fact that we are loved. We are worth something, we have been redeemed and we have to show and act like we are redeemed people. The image we portray as Christians to the world is vital. We engage with the world around us putting into practice the values we espouse. We strive to show love, patience and understanding towards others.
We are being shaped into God’s own image and that only
happens by ruthless self examination and self understanding as we start to see
the planks in our own eyes. It only happens as we get serious about building a
deep healthy relationship with God. It only happens as we learn to mature, to
spend time with God each day and to reflect on the message of the Bible and how
we apply it in our own lives. As we do these things we start to see that Madonna
has partly got there when she says that “nothing really matters, love is all we
need”. We need love; love of others, love of self but most of all a deep abiding
realisation that we are loved by God. This is the foundation of our image and
identity as God’s own people.
(Rev Andy Braunston)