Jeering and sneering at people is obnoxious

This week’s INM/Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column.

Michael Commane

In the Christian calendar last Sunday week was the feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday before the first Sunday in Advent. We are now in those days when the Christian tradition reminds us of the time of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Ministers of religion will speak a lot of holy words. It’s the thing to do. And it’s the busiest time of year for the commercial world, which will be selling us everything under the sun. 

I have to admit that I am at somewhat of a loss to see such a vast array of Christmas lights and assorted material on sale. Surely we need to cut back on such non-essentials when electricity is costing 40 cent a kilowatt hour and millions of people in Ukraine have no power.

But back to the feast of Christ the King. I’m not into kings and royalty. The feast was introduced in 1925 by Pius XI. It was to emphasise how we as Christians believe God is the creator of all. But maybe there was a political aspect to it as well. The Vatican was not too enamoured by the growing secularism, kings and queens were not the flavour of the month and the Weimar Republic in Germany had said goodbye to its monarchy.

All that aside, when reading the Gospel for the feast of Christ the King one word jumped off the page for me. St Luke (23: 35 - 43) describes how the leaders jeer at Jesus when he is hanging from the cross.

Fortunately we are making great strides against bullying, which is the same family, in our schools and workplaces, but don’t let us fool ourselves, jeering and sneering are always lurking in the background.

 

Leaving Donald Trump’s politics aside, one of his hallmarks that is particularly irritating is how he constantly jeers and sneers at people. It is obnoxious. But his followers love it.

It’s easy to point the finger at others and criticise them for such activity, as it is to look back in history and be outraged with those who behaved in such a manner. But I’m inclined to think that given the correct conditions we are all capable of jeering and sneering at those whose behaviour does not fit with our way of doing things.

We all take shelter in our own groups, find strength and support with likeminded people but very easily that can mean we cast scorn or laugh on those who hold different opinions than we. How often might an accent or incorrect use of grammar make us pause for a second and tempt us to ask how credible is the person who is speaking? 

Last week I heard a man on radio making wise suggestions on an issue and then in the middle of it he said: ‘….. I done that every week.’ I immediately called into question the earlier suggestions he was making. Yes, in my little pedantic snobbish way I was sneering at the man’s poor grammar. I doubt I am the only one who behaves in such a way.

Once we start jeering or sneering at people we break down all sorts of possibilities of ever appreciating or understanding them. And I think there’s far too much sneering and jeering about.

Honestly, the Gospels can be a treasure trove.