Monday, March 11, 2002
Monday, March 11, 2002
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected the petition of William Jefferson
Walker, sentenced in 1983 to serve 10 years in an Arizona prison for aggravated assault and
leaving the scene of an accident. Walker had argued, as he has in four other petitions filed
with state and federal courts, that he was deprived of a fair trial because no one in his jury pool
had a last name that began with W,X,Y, or Z. Walker claimed that people with surnames late in
the alphabet have an increased tendency toward "alphabetic neurosis," a mental illness
brought on by "the constant strain of waiting for one's name to be reached in the classroom
and in other situations." He derived his theory from a scientific article that actually found little
evidence to support the idea.
I believe we will all agree that is an unique defense. I can remember being stressed out in
class when the teacher was calling on people. I can remember slinking in my chair and
avoiding eye contact. But it had nothing to do with my name. It had to do with whether I was
prepared.
Yes, we are a victim. We are a victim of ourselves when we sin. Yes, God holds us
accountable for our actions. However, God also gives us forgiveness through the gift of Jesus
Christ.
(Romans 14:12
NRSV)
Nobody's at fault any more. Everyone's a victim. Isn't that the way you sometimes feel?
Dear Jesus, I come to you today to give you an account of my life. Yes I have fallen short.
Please forgive me and hold me up as I serve you. Amen.
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