If You Aint Got It You Can't Give It

That's what the pastor said this morning. You can't give what you don't have.

She was talking about love. She was talking about where we learn about love. She talked about our families, but she went beyond that. None of us is perfect enough to love in all ways always when it is needed. None of us is able to live and be The Ideal.

Jesus told us about love:

• Love one another.
• As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
• By this all... will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

That's why I am keeping this simple so people like me don't make it too difficult or complex. I am keeping it simple so people like me don't try to theologize it all away. You know how we do it:

Jesus didn't mean "everyone" just believers.
Jesus didn't want us to let bad people off the hook.
How can you love someone who does that.

Then, as if an exclamation point to the sermon I turned on the radio and Garrison had some people singing an old Tom Lehrer song:

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.

But during national brotherhood week, national brotherhood week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don't let 'em in your school.

Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It's American as apple pie.

But during national brotherhood week, national brotherhood week,
New yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Muslims,
And everybody hates the Jews.

But during national brotherhood week, national brotherhood week,
It's national everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It's only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!

I guess Jesus really means it.


PS: Here's an old video of Lehrer performing the song: