Who Likes a Critic?

This week's scripture lesson: John 12:1-8.


I begin this week's blog with a joke:

While traveling separately through the countryside late one afternoon a Hindu, a Rabbi, and a Critic were caught in a terrific thunderstorm.  They sought shelter at a nearby farmhouse.
“That storm will be raging for hours.”  The farmer told them. “You ought to spend the night. The problem is there is only room for two in the house. One of you must sleep in the barn.”
“I’ll be the one,” said the Hindu, "a little hardship is nothing to me.” And he went to the barn.
A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. It was the Hindu. “I’m sorry," he said to the others, "but there is a cow in the barn. Cows are sacred creatures and I cannot impose.”
“Don’t worry,” said the Rabbi, “make yourself comfortable. I will go sleep in the barn.”
A few minutes later there was another knock at the door.  It was the Rabbi. “I hate to be a bother,” he said, “but there is a pig in the barn. In my religion pigs are unclean, I wouldn’t feel comfortable sleeping near a pig.”
“Oh, all right,” said the Critic, “I’ll go sleep in the barn.”
A few minutes later there was a knock at the door.  It was the pig and the cow.


Can you relate to this joke? As an actor and occasional director, I have had a love/hate relationship with critics. Ideally, a professional critic will attend a theatrical event and provide a necessary way of looking at and evaluating a performance as an informed spectator. As an actor or director, it is easy to become so wrapped up in the little world of the performance that an objective assessment of the performance is nearly impossible. the voice of a critic can help us to see things to which we are uniquely blind.


Of course, what is necessary is that the criticism be reasonably informed. I have read critical reviews that are simply based upon whether or not the writer liked this or that about a performance, or musical piece or artwork. Personal preference is san interesting topic in a one-to-one conversation or discussion, but is not a sufficient basis for reviewing artistic and performance work.


This week's Gospel lesson features a heavy does of criticism that calls for some close scrutiny. Is the criticism legitimate? Is it based upon justifiable concerns, or is it missing the point of what is being done? 


Take a look at the story in John 12:1-8 and reflect on these questions:
  1. Who are the principal actors in the story?
  2. What is the main action?
  3. What is the criticism being leveled?
  4. What justifies the criticism?
  5. What might the criticism be missing?
  6. What commentary is offered by the Gospel writer?
  7. At what point(s) do you connect with the story?
  8. What doesn't make sense?

(Image of Mary Anointing the feet of Jesus form: http://media.photobucket.com/image/mary%20anointed%20jesus%20feet/alfredvillas/31a-2.jpg)

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