Brian’s Reflection: Monday, July 21, 2008


God gave men both a penis and a brain, but unfortunately
not enough blood supply to run both at the same time.

- Robin Williams, actor and comedian, born on this day, 1951


Well, come on gang – it’s Robin Williams! How could I not choose something zingy! (Robin is 57 today.)

So, this quote gives me a chance to ride one of my favourite hobbyhorses. Robin’s quote is a perfect example of the point of the parable that Jesus told about the “wheat and the weeds”, which we read for the Liturgy yesterday. We human have brains and can (if we choose) think. And we have hormones that are very powerful and that exert enormous power over us, and which seem to short-circuit the briain.

Jesus’ point was, I think, that we humans are a mixture of things over which we have control or not, things which enhance our life or things which complicate our lives unhelpfully. And His further point is that we need to deal with ourselves in a realistic way, and count on God to supply us the grace and love and forgiveness we need to get on with Life, heading for Glory. (Robin Williams also said, “Reality: what a concept!) And remember: God is not going to pull out the “tares” and free us from the troublesomeness of Sex. But note: many think of Sexuality as a “weed”; I, however, object to thinking of sexuality as a “weed” rather than “wheat”! This is part of the problem.)

Thousands of years along, we are just idiotic about how we deal with sex and sexuality in our culture. Bad thinking! It creates enormous trouble in our whole society. So, would someone please start a “Let’s Deal with Sex Head-on Society”. (Excuse the pun.)

Meanwhile, pray that blood and brain might find a good working relationship!

Brian+