12-04-19

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS

December 4, 2019

Scripture: Colossians 3:14

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Thought for the Day: On this day in 1945, the United States voted to join the United Nations. I know not everyone will agree with me, and I am not seeking agreement or even an argument, but I am one that believes that there are needed places, like the UN, where diverse people can come together and speak as one. Is it done perfectly, without some tense moments of disagreement? Of course not! Like the United States, where we have chosen to unite the states around a document, representing our shared values and core ideals, the United Nations seeks to unite nations around some shared values and core ideals as articulated in the first few articles of the UN Charter. Like the United States, the United Nations does not always do this perfectly. In our country, states have clear differences of opinion on how to embody and live out those shared values and core ideals, but there can still be a claim that we are united. It is one of the great and beautiful challenges. The same is true of the United Nations. And of course, the same is true of the church. Paul constantly struggled to hold together a very young movement, that included a growing number of people who brought with them even greater diversity. On occasion, Paul put forth some DO’s and DON’Ts in an attempt to bring people together, but for the most part that approach failed. Ultimately, Paul returned to love as the glue for whole together this beautiful but fragile body. And like the glue I used on the Christmas ornament we dropped the other night, it didn’t initially work. It took a second try, and though it held together on try number two, you could see the crack. Being a part of anything that claims to be united requires a lot of work, but if love is a part of the mix, it’s possible…with a few of the cracks showing.

Prayer: Cover us with your love, Merciful God, as we try to do the hard work that requires your love. Amen.

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