Of what are we afraid?

One of the things that strikes me about this week’s reading from Mark (10:46-52) is how much loudness is seen as a problem. The man is shouting and the disciples want him to be quiet.

Who among us can’t relate? The person in the checkout line shouting at her kinds, the person talking into his phone and unintentionally giving the world his password, or the person interrupting church with calls to repent.

Hearing someone shouting loudly is unnerving. So much so that we call it inappropriate, wrong, or even sinful.

It is striking then that Jesus asks the disciples to be loud back. Call him.

How often we think loud equals bad. But calling and proclaiming are not quiet words. The problem is not the volume. We’re afraid of something and blaming the messenger.