SEEING THE HUMAN IN OTHERS
My new favorite television show is titled “Rev.” It’s every bit sacrilegious and sacred, and due to this, it shows exactly what real life is like.
It’s a BBC series based on the fictitious character, Reverend Adam Smallbone. He is an Anglican vicar who moved from a parish in the rural countryside of England to East London to take over duties at a struggling parish called St. Saviour in the Marshes.
Every episode shows the challenge of being a vicar. The show’s tagline is, “It’s hell being a vicar.” In typical British fashion the humor is ironic and subtle. Adam is continually thrust into difficult situations between his parishioners, drug addicts, people on the streets, his overbearing bishop, and his loving wife.
I have been slowly making my way through the series thanks to Hulu, and recently watched the best episode yet. Adam discovers Mick, a crack addict, has gotten clean and has a heart to help him stay sober. In the meantime the church budget is off and he and his wife are trying to have a baby.
In the midst of this pressure, Adam invites Mick to come live at his house for two days until he can get into a residential treatment program. The bishop does not approve of this whatsoever, and pays Adam a visit.
After the bishop express his disapproval, Adam says, “Maybe I am being stupid, maybe it's not the logical thing to do. But you know what else was illogical? Hanging out with lepers. Because that's the real miracle, isn't it? Seeing the human in other people; in the outcast. That's the one thing Jesus did that we can emulate. We can't change water into wine, but he said it himself. Looking into the heart of the lame man is a bigger deal than making him walk.”
Adam then goes and finds Mick in the spare bedroom where he is reading the Bible. Mick asks all kinds of questions about Jesus, and Adam says, “Identifying with Jesus is just such a problematic business. Because, I suppose you have your big moments, don't you? There's miracles, but there's everything else. It's just ... I'm not sure life becomes this perfect, clean thing. Ever.”
His words prove true when Mick steals their television and relapses. The episode ends with Adam praying for Mick. He says, “About Mick, Lord. I did more than try to give alms. I'm in a difficult situation. I'm trying to balance family needs with parishioners, and it's not easy. And yes, maybe it is nice to have our home back. Maybe I do find it easier to deal with Mick the crack addict, than Mick the human being. But I don't see any reason why Mick shouldn't get another shot at recovery. Could you take care of him, Lord and look after him.”
Just as Adam utters that prayer Mick shows up at his house asking for money … again.
I share these insightful words, because I was reminded of the very reason I became a pastor. It’s not the sermons, it’s not church business, it’s not to get theology just right; it’s people. It’s because one day, a pastor helped me understand the heart of Jesus and it changed my life. It dawned on me that I might be able to do the same thing.
And that’s the miracle, isn’t it? In the midst of life, just being able to see the human in other people.