a priest's musings on the journey
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Where is the Love?
Just wondering, why it is that members of Christ's Body who are in disagreement over certain issues find such delight in ridiculing, belittling, and making pot shots at their siblings who disagree with them? If that's love, if that's how Christians treat one another when they disagree, then no wonder our churches are empty on Sundays.
At the risk of sounding like an evangelical, I do not think this is behavior in which Jesus would be engaged. I think he'd be praying for unity (uh in fact he did) not making fun of those on the other side.
One reason I respect His Grace, the Rt Rev'd Gene Robinson, is because he is faithfully committed to the Gospel call to return evil with good, to bless those who curse him, to love those hate him, to include those who would exclude him- and even to be willing to endure suffering on their behalf. That is what is it looks like to be a follower of Jesus- not to be engaged in sophomoric frivolity which incites the rabble to cheap laughter at the expense of a brother or sister on the other side of the fence. Some of the derisive remarks I have read about Christian siblings with whom there is disagreement is not even appropriate in civilized discourse at all, much less in Christian discourse.
How can the love of God and a Gospel of inclusivity be proclaimed on Sunday, and then those same lips proclaim hatred for the Christ who is present in others? Have we forgotten the wisdom of John? " The one who hates ones brother who has been seen, hates God who has not been seen"
It's all getting rather embarrassing! How do we expect to ever find unity in our broken church and why should we think an unchurched person would want anything to do with us as long as we allow this kind of behavior to exist the church? It's time for it to stop; it's time for us to begin to pray for those who abuse us, love those who deride us, bless those who deny us a place in the family, and include those who exclude us. That's what is means to be a disciple.
At the risk of sounding like an evangelical, I do not think this is behavior in which Jesus would be engaged. I think he'd be praying for unity (uh in fact he did) not making fun of those on the other side.
One reason I respect His Grace, the Rt Rev'd Gene Robinson, is because he is faithfully committed to the Gospel call to return evil with good, to bless those who curse him, to love those hate him, to include those who would exclude him- and even to be willing to endure suffering on their behalf. That is what is it looks like to be a follower of Jesus- not to be engaged in sophomoric frivolity which incites the rabble to cheap laughter at the expense of a brother or sister on the other side of the fence. Some of the derisive remarks I have read about Christian siblings with whom there is disagreement is not even appropriate in civilized discourse at all, much less in Christian discourse.
How can the love of God and a Gospel of inclusivity be proclaimed on Sunday, and then those same lips proclaim hatred for the Christ who is present in others? Have we forgotten the wisdom of John? " The one who hates ones brother who has been seen, hates God who has not been seen"
It's all getting rather embarrassing! How do we expect to ever find unity in our broken church and why should we think an unchurched person would want anything to do with us as long as we allow this kind of behavior to exist the church? It's time for it to stop; it's time for us to begin to pray for those who abuse us, love those who deride us, bless those who deny us a place in the family, and include those who exclude us. That's what is means to be a disciple.
:: posted by Padre Rob+, 9:27 AM
5 Comments:
That is also one of the things I have observed. While outright vitriol spews forth from those who are against +Gene, he always returns nothing but pure goodness to those who attack him. When placed side by side, which is full of God's grace and love? It does become rather obvious, does it not?
Reminds me of the parable of the Good Samaritan. :)
Could not agree with you more! On every issue those who think they are right can so easily disparage those with whom they disagree! Where is the humility and the love?
some are just at the "other" side of shore, but we all are united by the same old SEA
Very well said!
I seem to recall reading in the Bible something about how others will know we are Christians by our love for one another. So does that mean that others will doubt that we are Christians when we hate one another? I think so.
I shall have to link to your post on my blog.
Miss Rosarium
aka writing_here
I seem to recall reading in the Bible something about how others will know we are Christians by our love for one another. So does that mean that others will doubt that we are Christians when we hate one another? I think so.
I shall have to link to your post on my blog.
Miss Rosarium
aka writing_here
