When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:3-5 (NRSV)

Well, doesn’t it just figure!

In the swirl of conspiracies and misinformation, “fake news” and snake-oil sales, Websters.com has seen fit to bestow word of the year honors on “gaslighting.” I learned about it here via the BBC.

What does it mean? As defined at their website, it’s “to cause (a person) to doubt his or her sanity through the use of psychological manipulation:” The example they give is “How do you know if your partner is gaslighting you.” As information becomes more ubiquitous more and more outlets compete for our attention. It”s easier to see that many pretenders will try to make us doubt our sanity in order to be won over to their positions.

Use Your Words

Have you heard the term before? I hear it among younger (than me) people all the time. I wonder what a word like this says about our sense of ourselves. Are we always going to be on guard now? Will we become more resistant to good news, assuming an ulterior motive? How will we respond when others accuse us of gaslighting? Is such an accusation about us at all?

The term itself is a good tool. But in faith, we deal in uncertainties all the time. In fact, I’ve warned many from the pulpits where I’ve preached: don’t assume anyone with easy answers is right. Faith is a practice, a set of habits that grow in utility over time as we use them more. Your first prayer will probably carry a fraction of the assurance that your 1000th prayer could give. It takes time to get better at faith.

Gaslighting is anointed Word of the Year for 2022 between the Advent Sundays of Hope and Peace…

I think it’s okay to be wary of any news, including the Good News. Test it out, decide what it means for you, and think about what the person speaking is really saying. Jesus, in the passage above from Matthew, warns the disciples that there will be many pretenders to his throne. Those pretenders never seem to stop. There are so many folks announcing that they have the real truth, even in our Christian Communities. They claim to know what’s really going on, and often want you to accept their version of the truth without questioning.

But questioning is exactly how we learn! Jesus, in the course of his parable stories and rhetorical statements, asked question after question of the disciples. And in seeking answers, they discovered his truth. I’m grateful to be in the season of Hope and Peace right now, and to reflect on those big concepts as essential goals and truths in my own life. I think when people come in Jesus’ name offering Hope and Peace (and Joy and Love, not to spoil the weeks ahead), they’re often doing good work.

Remember, Advent is a CELEBRATION!

Thanks to all those who came to worship last week, and I look forward to seeking peace with you this Sunday at 10 am. In the meantime, be aware when someone’s gaslighting you…but perhaps don’t assume it from the start. There are many who come in His name on the Pilgrim journey to the manger who want good things for all God’s children, and who want them for even you, and for even me.