We Might Be Wrong - July 28
Today’s Readings - Psalm 56, 57, [58]; 2 Samuel 2:1-11; Acts 15:36-16:5; Mark 6:14-29
Families can be so complicated. Some take on the character of warring tribes becoming territorial over who sits where at the table or who chooses the movie to be watched after dinner. God forbid a child’s place in the family car is taken by another child. An all-out war could develop. Candy was a huge bone of contention in our house. My mom would on very rare occasions allow us to choose something as a special treat. It was either my favorite or my brother’s. He liked those nasty orange circus peanuts. I still cringe when I think about those things. The way I remember it, his was often the choice. I’m sure he probably remembers it the other way!
It was almost as bad when my mom would make us pick between pickled spiced peaches or apple rings for Thanksgiving. Why couldn’t we have both? Looking back some of our differences seem so trivial but at the time they seemed so important. I mean how important is a side dish opposed to family peace at Thanksgiving dinner?
National politics, social media, sports and religion all seem to have this same problem, and it’s not as though this is a new problem. Perceived favoritism, and unfair treatment of one tribe over another were two of the many factors that split the twelve tribes of the Kingdom of Israel, never to be reunited. And even that could be traced back to the contention and rivalry within the family of Jacob. Unfortunately, we’ve not learned much from the problems the Israelites faced. In this morning’s reading from I Samuel we see the results of family discord and rivalry that eventually resulted in the dissolution of what was once a thriving nation, connected not only through familial ties, but by a bond created by having been God’s chosen people.
Political groups, religious denominations and even rival sports teams, all seem to experience this same discord, sometimes with the same results. Do we always need to fight to the bitter end? No one wins when the other is left humiliated, stripped of their dignity or their homes and livelihood are taken away. Jesus was on the side of sitting down, talking and listening to one another however, even he wasn’t always successful. Agreeing to disagree is never easy, and compromise always comes at a cost. However, the cost of failing to try to heal divisions, or refusing to compromise, leaves no real winner. My ethics professor taught us that we should only enter a debate if we’re willing to consider the other point of view and admit that we might be wrong. Because it’s always possible, that we are wrong. That can be a hard pill to swallow but it may be easier than the alternative.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection - When was the last time you knew you were wrong, but just couldn’t admit it? Is it pride? Stubbornness? Arrogance? What did you gain? What did you lose?