We talk about the division in our society today and lament the ways that we seem to be at war with people in our communities, in our country, and online on social media. The stress of conflict seems ever present, a part of our daily lives.

It’s tempting to think of this as a new dynamic. Unfortunately, I think our human societies have always been plagued by the ways we tend to group together in community – very much for those who are like us, and often tragically against those who look, think, speak, or believe differently. Even in Scripture we see Jesus’ own disciples concerned about people who don’t “follow” like they do having their own way of relating to their teacher, Jesus.

I wonder what we can learn from their experience, and from Jesus’ response to their concerns. For, indeed, the divisions we experience today are powerful and often lead to very harmful dynamics. If Jesus’ good news can grant us a way to address our conflicts, we would be wise to pay attention.

Let’s see what see what we can uncover, together, this Sunday.

Peace,

Hardy

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“There is a constant tension between being inclusive and exclusive, with serious questions to be faced. How far should a community go in relating to other people who are different, and how far should it go in excluding those who have different standards and values and customs? How far must a community go in isolating itself from outsiders to keep its values? How does a community keep its identity if it recognizes the validity of differing ways in a community fellowship with others without losing their defining distinctiveness?”

–    Harry B. Adams, Feasting on the Word

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”