Living in Texas, the conservative bellwether of the United States, poses constant challenges for us progressives. It’s even harder to live in a concurrent conservative theological environment where Jesus packs a pistol and proclaims the Second Amendment more often than the Golden Rule.
Ergo, I wasn’t surprised when Texas Deputy Attorney General Aaron Reitz tweeted that world champion gymnast Simone Biles was a “national embarrassment” for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics. I was surprised, however, at my own rush of anger at Mr. Reitz, given that social media has been overwrought with debate about the appropriateness of Ms. Biles’ decision to protect her mental, and possibly physical, health.
At the intervention of his boss, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (a man not noted for his rationality), Mr. Reitz has since removed his offending tweet and apologized to Ms. Biles (and by extension the rest of us). Yet I couldn’t shake the nagging urge to delve into my Bible for perspective on the controversy.
For the sake of full disclosure, I should confess that as a sexual assault survivor myself, I have a special affection for Simone Biles and all the gymnasts who blew the whistle on the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of then team doctor Larry Nassar. Biles herself has said she came back for the current tournament so that Olympic officials would be held accountable for having tried to cover up the Nasser abuse. To my mind, this reality makes her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics even more praiseworthy for its difficulty.
Contrary to the criticisms that Ms. Biles should have “powered through” her attack of “the twisties” (a disorientation well known to veteran gymnasts), here’s what I found Jesus says about caring for one’s heart, mind, and soul. (All quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible*)
“Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness.” – Luke 11:34
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
“Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well.” – Matthew 9:22
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29
I don’t know whether any of these verses went through the mind of Ms. Biles, a practicing Catholic, as she made her decision, but I suspect her decision-making process was grounded in Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus also had a few choice words for those who would condemn Ms. Biles – and anyone else, for that matter – for choosing to love themselves as God loves them.
“For this people’s heart has grown dull,
“and their ears are hard of hearing,
“and they have shut their eyes;
“so that they might not look with their eyes,
“and listen with their ears,“and understand with their heart and turn—
“and I would heal them.” – Matthew 1:15
“The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45
“So he said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.” – Luke 16:15
Clearly, these verses show that Jesus thoroughly understood human nature, so he counseled people to follow healthy ways and rebuked unhealthy practices. It’s a testament to the underlying grief and fear we all feel – but avoid admitting – after nearly 18 months of global coronavirus pandemic that a healthy choice by a world champion athlete would elicit such vicious condemnation.
Fortunately, we who follow Jesus are called to live not as the world lives, but as the beloved community we want the world to become. Ms. Biles tweeted on July 28 that she felt the love of so many who came to her defense.
Simon
I’m sure those love notes gladdened Jesus as well.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.