Divisions
When we look around, what do we see?
"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? - Luke 12:49-56
I wonder what Jesus would say about the division in our country today?
Would he credit us with being able to interpret the wind and rain? Or would he use a different analogy, given our preoccupation with Climate Change?
It seems we are acting as though the end is closer than humanity has ever felt before, so maybe Jesus would be happy. Finally, we are getting the message.
Or are we?
Our divisions seem so far apart that I wonder if compromise and common ground are possible anymore.
I didn't realize how affected I am by the voices I hear around me each day, until I took a week off and traveled to a part of the country where the voices were different.
I felt the stress level drop as I walked down the street and was greeted with smiles and kind words, me, a total stranger.
My father used to quote some unknown author, “You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
I don't think people want to understand one another. Instead, they want to challenge and berate each other for being different, or foolish, or evil.
I think the maxim for today is different. Before you judge someone, spend some time in his hometown.
It makes a difference. And you might just come back feeling less alone in the world.
More to come...