I'm as big a U2 fan as the next guy, but this makes me go "ugghhh." Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation is encouraging churches to host "U2charists" (a Eucharist service set to U2 music) to raise awareness of Millennium Development Goals. OK, here's my complaint:
It's cheesy and irreverent. The problem here is with the name itself. "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving." The Eucharist is focused on Jesus; it's something he did and does for us. "U2charist" shifts the focus to the Irish rock band. I have a big enough problem with idolatry without the church's help. Confession: I squealed like Tim LaHaye on Rapture Day after I met Bono and The Edge in November 2004. Why are many of us more enamored with the hope of meeting Bono than the hope of meeting Jesus when he returns?
So, I don't like the name. Just call it "a service celebrating the Eucharist using U2's music," but don't call it a U2charist...that's cheesy at best, irreverent at worst. Cheesy because what you wind up with is a lot of pasty old white Episcopalians trying to clap to U2's music (check out these happenin' pics from the Wyoming U2charist). Irreverent because it panders for attention by using something other than the gospel to excite us...as if the "eu" needs "U2" to be relevant to the youths.
Paul and I were JUST deriding this last night. Another criticism: it's one of those things that becomes culturally irrelevant within about a week of its inception.
Posted by: Kimiko Egy | October 31, 2006 at 11:16 AM