114 Enough Mince? (Lev 24)

I had an interesting talk with one of the guys who hangs around work.
He's one of those people who tend to be a bit more special than most.
You can generally have a reasonable conversation with him until, BAM! Something will enter the conversation that's a bit curious.
To say the least.
Wowee.
Last week was like that.
He was having a smoke and I asked how he was as I walked past.
He was ok, but then "No. I'm depressed."
"Why? What's up?"
"The pope told me I can't get married."
Sometimes you need to ignore the obvious question.
"Hmmmmm. Did you want to get married?"
"Not really. But now I can't, I'm sad."
Please bear in mind I have not typed all the words he used during the course of this conversation. Such is the vocabulary of some of the guys I work with.
Anyway, onwards.
"Ok," I said. "Anything else?"
I did cringe at this point. I didn't mean to ask that question.
"Yeah. I think my neighbour eats angels."
Now there is no sign of any emotion during this chat, on his part. Just a matter of fact (!!!) conversation.
"Ok," I replied. "Does that make you sad as well?"
"Yep. I think I'll top myself next week."
"Before Christmas?"
"Oh. Maybe after that. But yeah, definitely then."
He draws on his smoke again.
A chance to pause and reflect on what has been said.
Training kicks in. "Do you know how you might do it?"
"Yep."
"Ok. Would you tell me? It sounds serious."
"I'm going to cover myself in mince and lie in front of a dog. She'll eat me to death."
Interesting choice of dog gender.
Again, ignore the obvious question.
"Do you have enough mince?"
"Not yet."
"Will you let me know when you do?"
"Ok."
"Thank you."
I thought it best to leave then.
Misplaced ingenuity in action.
But it could work.
Couldn't it?
Some days are never dull at my work.

Leviticus 24
It's a curious chapter this.
From keeping a lamp burning to stoning for blasphemy.
Maybe, there isn't just a big jump between the two.
It's a matter of doing right before God.
The priest had their duty.
There was one way to prepare the lamps.
There was one way to bake the loaves.
There was one way to make the offering.
There was one way to signify the covenant with God.
One way.
Then.
An argument.
A curse uttered.
There was one decision to make.
The punishment for blasphemy.
In all things, God had delivered His people.
In a time when the people could be distracted by other alternates.
His name was required to be kept sacred.
If you could disrespect His name, where was the next line to cross.
There was one way to honour God.
Honour everything.
No compromise.
It was the same as killing someone.
It was of more importance than killing an animal or injuring someone.
It didn't matter the circumstance, the name of the Lord was to be honoured and not cursed.
One way.