A Word from Pastor Nathan

After Sunday’s online premiere of worship, I didn’t tune into the Oscars. However, on Monday morning, my news feed was filled with the slap that was heard around the world. Chris Rock made an inappropriate joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will Smith responded by walking onstage and slapping Rock across the face. Though I don’t expect Hollywood to provide the best role models, Sunday’s Academy Awards showed the poorest way to right a wrong.

There’s plenty of commentary on what happened Sunday, but this Spire article is not about the joke or the slap; it’s about the apology. Smith wrote, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable… I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness. I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world… I am a work in progress.” In his apology, Smith took responsibility for his actions and offered words that show his remorse. We should take note of that.

Several months ago, Whoopi Goldberg made an anti-Jewish comment on The View. She, too, authored an apology in which she owned her words, admitted that she was wrong, and committed to learning anew. Her apology didn’t absolve her from consequences as a two-week suspension followed her inappropriate comment. Still, her apology is one we should recognize as instructive.

Kids on playgrounds make apologies frequently, but as children grow into adults, they (we) lose the art of making a sincere apology. Perhaps our sense of pride and selfhood keeps us from taking ownership of our words and actions and the hurt and harm—even when unintentional—that we’ve caused.

Perhaps one of the disciplines we should adopt during these final days of Lent is making an apology. Let’s take ownership, let’s admit responsibility, and let’s express our sorrow. Apologies don’t take away consequences, but they do open the door for grace to come in and take center stage.