Michael Jackson?

All of the muss, fuss, fanfare and hoopla of the last two weeks following the death of Michael Jackson has me scratching my head and wondering, "Are we really that crazy as a society?" I mean, have we really strayed so far afield that this person has come to epitomize our values, our hopes, our dreams and our goals?

That he was a success as an entertainer no one would argue. That he introduced some new elements of dance and singing into the pop scene are without question.

Whether he was a success as a human being can certainly be called into question. His predilection for children, especially young boys is not something to be idolized or imitated. I mean, Mothers, would you want him to babysit your small children? The fact that he either settled charges out of court, or was not found guilty does not alter the perception of his secret behaviors. Then there is his seeming discomfort with his own racial identity. His attempts to blur or dull his "blackness" seem to indicate a person who would rather be someone else. This does not seem to be an individual to be held up for emulation.

Yet, the overwhelming adulation and gushing from both ordinary people and media types call for pause and questioning on all our parts. What does this say about our society? About us as a people? Is this the best we can do when holding someone up as a model for others, especially our young people?

I remember when Elvis Presley died in 1977. There was a woman in her 70's who was cleaning and cooking in the rectory where I was living. She was in tears for almost a week because "the King is dead". I thought it was strange at that time; I still think it strange as I look back upon it. Even though there have been many "sightings" of Elvis since that time, he has never come back. I suspect that the same thing will happen with Michael Jackson.

Maybe I am just "out of touch" with the real world!?! Or maybe I just cannot forget that Jesus is the only one who said that He would come back again. Maybe I keep remembering what Jesus said to Satan when he tempted Jesus following His 40-day fast in the desert: "Scripture has it: 'You shall do homage to the Lord your God; him alone shall you adore.'" (Matt 5:10) Somehow I think the world will move on, the sun will rise again tomorrow and music will play in the hearts of all people. Michael has died. May he rest in peace.