An Effective Use of Shock
When the writer Flannery O’Connor was first published and reviewed, she was categorized by some critiques as belonging to a “cult of the Gratuitous Grotesque.” In her writing, she often creates fictional narratives that lead to a moment of shocking violence. Her characters are often exaggerated, unappealing figures, all to recognizable to many of us.
What does Flannery O’Connor have to do with this week’s gospel passage?
As a Christian writer, Miss O’Connor used shocking plot developments and violence to convey her vision in a belief that people were too accustomed to living with corrupt ideas, that, in fact, modern humans actually embraced some very distorted ideas as “good.”
In another installment of the “bread of life” semi-continuous readings from the Gospel of John, we will hear Jesus say some shocking words. Perhaps it is from Christ himself that Miss O’Connor learned that grace and mercy can sometimes come as a shock.
We will ponder these things together; thanks be to God.
Take a look at the full lectionary selection here:
*https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=215
<https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=215>*
See you Sunday!
Jane
