This morning I was reading in the gospel of Mark.  Jesus is had a lot to say today.  He talks about the power of faith, the necessity of forgiveness and he tells some parables.  

I was struck by what I read in Mark 12:13.  

    "Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words."

They were sent to "catch" Him in His words.  They wanted to catch Jesus.  They came listening, watching and purposing to catch him.

I am acquainted with this dynamic.  I am sad to say I have been at both the giving and receiving end of this kind of energy.

I have used this tactic of engaging with the intent of catching someone often at home, with my husband and with my children.  You know what I am talking about...when you just have that nagging sense that somehow you aren't been given the whole story, or you are just in a bad mood and wanting some excuse to dispense your energy at someone else.  Whatever the reason, it happens, you catch them in their words and it's all over.

I have been at the receiving end of it as well.  I have felt the accusation and judgement that comes when someone is fishing for information, hoping that the bait they put out will yield the information they are wanting to gain.  Or at the receiving end of subtle accusation that comes wrapped in curious or polite conversation.

As I read the words this morning I had strong feelings about it, and they didn't feel good.  

Jesus knows what that is like.

I thought today about how wise and playful Jesus was with those trying to catch him.  The truth was  there was nothing to catch him at...and they still crucified him.

For today I have held, and continue to hold, that I do not want to be a woman who lives from a place of anticipating how I can catch another in their words.  I don't want my heart and mind drowning in the plotting and accusation and tightness that comes with engaging others from that place.