Buzz Trexler

In watching the Michael Jackson memorial event today, I found myself torn between two vocations: There was the newsroom cynicism that looked at motives and celebrity production, and then there was the desire as a pastor to see family and friends make their way through what can be a difficult ritual — likely doubly so for a family caught in the midst of stardom.

The memorial event sometimes had the feel of a celebration of Michael’s life, sometimes it had the feel of just another pop variety show, but there were also some poignant moments that gave a sense of normalcy:

• Michael’s daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson standing before the throng and proclaiming, “I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much.” She then fell into the arms of her aunt, Janet Jackson. It’s a clip that is playing over and over on CNN in the background as I write this post.
• Brooke Shields sharing how she and Michael were friends who bonded through the common life of child stardom. “We had a bond and maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. I used to tease him and say, ‘I started when I was 11 months old. You’re a slacker. You were like 5?’ Both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun.”
• Motown legend Smokey Robinson expressing the same sort of sentiment that an elder experiences when a younger friend or family member dies: “You don’t think you’ll live to see them gone.”

Those are the moments and memories that are common to humanity as we move through the rituals of a loved one’s passing: Grief, remembrances, and shock. Still, in the swarm of celebrity and pop culture hoopla, I continued to wait for one particular moment, growing more and cynical — and then it came, from Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“My prayer is that no one and nothing, public or private, fact or fiction, true or rumored, will separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus,” King said. “Because ultimately at the end of the day it is only God’s love that will anchor you, sustain you, and move you to a higher ground, far above the noise of life. There you will find the peace, comfort and joy to move forward and advance Michael’s legacy.”

She later added, “Michael’s life and work was inspired by the love of God.”

Earlier, I believe, Stevie Wonder shared, “This is a moment that I wish that I didn’t live to see come. But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good and I do know that as much as we may feel — and we do — that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more.”

Not certain about the theology that God needs someone more than we do and thus decides to end their life here on earth, but it was good that God got a shout out, so to speak.

It was a long memorial event, and I may have missed other references to the Giver of Life and the Giver of Gifts, and thus the One who gave us the gift of Michael Jackson’s talent. But with an audience of millions, the pastor in me sought more in terms of comfort, assurance, and the love of God for the children and family.

I was still cynically stewing about this when we were in the News budget meeting discussing coverage for the next day’s print edition when I was reminded that the family had a private memorial service before the Staples Center spectacle. And then it hit me: That’s exactly where it belonged.

Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, has guardianship over his children. It is said that she is a woman of faith, and perhaps with that in mind, and knowing the entertainment spectacle that would follow, she placed the service of faith in the forefront.

Once again, I am humbled by the revelation that things are not always what they appear in this world, whether in the spiritual or the secular realm.

Whatever one thinks of the spectacle that is currently under way in Los Angeles, the media coverage of Michael Jackson’s funeral seems unprecedented in this digital age.

The Associated Press is providing a raw, live video feed that can be accessed by our readers using this short URL.

Interestingly enough, when there is no other voiceover, you can hear the cameraman’s comments. There is the occasional “Oh, God,” as well as various other mutterings.

They’ve now switched to the Staples Center in anticipation of the memorial service.

We can’t help but watch it unfold and pray it’s without incident.