The Second reading for yesterday was Philippians 2:1-13. St. Paul writes: "If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves."
Those opening questions must be answered consistently - OF COURSE there is encouragement, consolation...... These gifts from God lay the foundation for the humility which allows us to remain united and of one mind.
Admitting that I have not kept up on the swings of the pendulum and surely haven't collected all the latest information - the attempts to divide us over whether athletes should exploit the still-shots of cameras during the playing of the National Anthem should not divide us over the undeniable conviction that if any of our brothers or sisters are feeling frightened then we need to do something to change the system.
There is a forum on Oct 19 about health care options from countries around the world. The bitter arguments cannot drive a wedge among God's people who week after week pray that those who are sick and ill will receive care.
I will discuss methodology with anyone. I am prepared to be told that Habitat for Humanity isn't the cure-all for homelessness. I am prepared to accept that my attempts to bind up the broken might in the end be toxic. BUT, I will not even entertain the notion that God's people are divided on our mission in the world. It is impossible to deny that "selfish ambition (and/)or conceit" block our living out that mission. But God has shown us what is good and right and acceptable.
We merely need the humility which allows us to understand ourselves as servants - servants of God, and of our neighbors.
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