General Assembly -- Day 7
Today as topics such as responding to the ongoing conflict in Israel, dealing with environmental issues, and handling the very delicate issues of responding to ecclesiastical abuse revealed an intriguing dynamic--we want to make very strong and definitive statements of what we believe, but in such a way that no one is cast from the table--i.e., we seek to redeem things that go against God's compassion for all people in all places without demonizing any of the human beings involved.
Some might immediately respond that such a work is an impossible ideal--taking a strong stand is not a strong stand if it does not delineate what is right or wrong, good or bad, etc.--i.e., someone's going to be removed from the circle in direct consequence of their actions. The impossible standard of the working dynamic of strength without offense seems an absurd irrationality.
But that is precisely where we encounter the reality of Christ. It is right there in Christ's gathering of the Twelve--Matthew was a tax collector--a Roman collaborator; Simon the Zealot was a radicalized Judean, committed to the eradication of any and all collaborators; and Jesus brings them both to the table...The challenge was then set before the Twelve to make it work. It was an absurd challenge. No one would put those two people at the same table because the reality was only one would leave the table after dinner, the other dead. Yet, Jesus does not soften the challenge, mitigate the challenge, or even offer much help--he just puts them there.
Watching the Assembly work, one senses Jesus seating people at the table with no regard for what conventional wisdom dictates. Jesus brings in Palestinians and Israelis figuratively in the action before us. Jesus brings progressives and conservatives to the table. Jesus brings all sorts of divergent people to the table. We are left to sort it through so everyone remains at the table.
In so many experiences, that is the life of faith.
Or...
Think of it this way--ambiguity is constant. Life is lived on a spectrum with very little of it at either end's extreme. We have to deal with shades of gray all the time.
And think of it this way--because of this first recognition, humanity is an incredibly diverse species, meaning there will inevitably be conflict. The challenge of Christ is to deal with the resulting conflict in a way that preserves the dignity and even the lives of all involved.
The proof of how well we met this challenge is not going to be immediately revealed, but rather will come as we go home. We will see if folks are driven from the table, or if we preserved our communion.
I pray the table be full.
Some might immediately respond that such a work is an impossible ideal--taking a strong stand is not a strong stand if it does not delineate what is right or wrong, good or bad, etc.--i.e., someone's going to be removed from the circle in direct consequence of their actions. The impossible standard of the working dynamic of strength without offense seems an absurd irrationality.
But that is precisely where we encounter the reality of Christ. It is right there in Christ's gathering of the Twelve--Matthew was a tax collector--a Roman collaborator; Simon the Zealot was a radicalized Judean, committed to the eradication of any and all collaborators; and Jesus brings them both to the table...The challenge was then set before the Twelve to make it work. It was an absurd challenge. No one would put those two people at the same table because the reality was only one would leave the table after dinner, the other dead. Yet, Jesus does not soften the challenge, mitigate the challenge, or even offer much help--he just puts them there.
Watching the Assembly work, one senses Jesus seating people at the table with no regard for what conventional wisdom dictates. Jesus brings in Palestinians and Israelis figuratively in the action before us. Jesus brings progressives and conservatives to the table. Jesus brings all sorts of divergent people to the table. We are left to sort it through so everyone remains at the table.
In so many experiences, that is the life of faith.
Or...
Think of it this way--ambiguity is constant. Life is lived on a spectrum with very little of it at either end's extreme. We have to deal with shades of gray all the time.
And think of it this way--because of this first recognition, humanity is an incredibly diverse species, meaning there will inevitably be conflict. The challenge of Christ is to deal with the resulting conflict in a way that preserves the dignity and even the lives of all involved.
The proof of how well we met this challenge is not going to be immediately revealed, but rather will come as we go home. We will see if folks are driven from the table, or if we preserved our communion.
I pray the table be full.
Comments
Post a Comment