Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 82; Amos 5:6-15; Matthew 17:9-13; Galatians 2:1-10; Psalm 146
One of the most difficult challenges we face as human beings is living with our truth in such a way that it doesn’t deny or denigrate someone else’s truth. This fact has become especially apparent in these days leading up to the political caucus in my state (Colorado). I’ve noticed that when folks ask which candidate you are supporting, tension often ensues if you name a candidate other than the one they are supporting. There’s almost the unspoken assumption that if the other person names another candidate other than the one you are supporting, it is your duty to try to change their mind. I find myself wishing that people’s devotion to the issues (i.e. health care, affordable wages, education, etc.) was a strong as their devotion to a particular candidate. Of course we aren’t the only ones who had to deal with such division. Today’s passage reminds us that the disciples faced significant differences as well. Paul and Barnabas, for instance, had a call to minister to the Gentiles; while Peter, James, and John were called to minister to the Jews. At this critical moment in the history of our faith tradition, the disciples could have been hard-hearted and lashed out at those whose convictions and call differed from their own. Instead of doing that, however, they did the unexpected: they used these differences to help them arrive at a better understanding of their own call (Galatians 2:7). I’m left to wonder how it is that you live out your own faith and convictions. Do you follow Paul, Peter, James and John’s example and lovingly and respectfully honor those whose call is different from yours; or do you feel compelled to force others to conform to your understanding and experience of God? Til next time…
One of the most difficult challenges we face as human beings is living with our truth in such a way that it doesn’t deny or denigrate someone else’s truth. This fact has become especially apparent in these days leading up to the political caucus in my state (Colorado). I’ve noticed that when folks ask which candidate you are supporting, tension often ensues if you name a candidate other than the one they are supporting. There’s almost the unspoken assumption that if the other person names another candidate other than the one you are supporting, it is your duty to try to change their mind. I find myself wishing that people’s devotion to the issues (i.e. health care, affordable wages, education, etc.) was a strong as their devotion to a particular candidate. Of course we aren’t the only ones who had to deal with such division. Today’s passage reminds us that the disciples faced significant differences as well. Paul and Barnabas, for instance, had a call to minister to the Gentiles; while Peter, James, and John were called to minister to the Jews. At this critical moment in the history of our faith tradition, the disciples could have been hard-hearted and lashed out at those whose convictions and call differed from their own. Instead of doing that, however, they did the unexpected: they used these differences to help them arrive at a better understanding of their own call (Galatians 2:7). I’m left to wonder how it is that you live out your own faith and convictions. Do you follow Paul, Peter, James and John’s example and lovingly and respectfully honor those whose call is different from yours; or do you feel compelled to force others to conform to your understanding and experience of God? Til next time…
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