I have used a running joke or made a preposterous statement in the classroom because it would defuse students’ tensions or frustrations, especially when they came into my class after a “heavy” situation. A couple of examples: “I was never a kid like you. When I was born, I was 17,” or “You know that superhero who flies around with a cape and has superpowers, that’s my brother.” But it wasn’t always the right thing to say. One day, Sheila turned to me and said, “Mr. Watson, that’s a lie. To tell a lie is a sin. Mr. Watson, you’re a sinner!”
Jesus, on the other hand, was a teacher who always had brilliant words to deal with a challenging situation or to teach. Here are a couple examples: 1) when asked whether or not to pay taxes, Jesus replied, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) 2) When instructing, Jesus taught, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)
Jesus, give me wise words every day, when I need a quick response. Amen. —