Extending a hand of love and mercy
In the last month I have read two books by Pope Francis. As I reflect on these readings I remember a religious tribe I used to belong to that would vilify the Pope and Catholicism for certain doctrines and beliefs.
Reading these books has shown me that I have much wisdom to gain from Francis. Do I ascribe to all of his theology and doctrines? No. But, like me, he is a human being seeking to know God and live accordingly.
Why has our culture devolved into "camps" and "sides"? ...Why is it Republican vs. Democrat, white vs. black, Muslim vs. Christian, science vs. faith, homosexuals vs. the church, and on and on I could go? Why can't we all humbly admit that we are imperfect people trying to make the world a better place?
Why can't Republicans and Democrats sit down and work together to find the best way to provide health care?
Why can't whites and blacks stop labeling each other and seek true reconciliation?
Why can't Muslims and Christians sit around a table and seek peace?
Why can't science and faith both admit they have beliefs they'll never be able to fully prove?
Why can't homosexuals and the church break bread together and learn to love instead of hate?
If your first response to any of these is to say "yes, but" then you, like me, want to defend the system that makes you more right than someone else.
I offer these thoughts not because I think I have all the answers, but because I know I don't. I am humbly reminded every day that someone is more intelligent than me, more compassionate than me, more giving than me, and more loving than me. And, if I'm truly honest, sometimes those someones are the people with whom I may disagree about something significant.
Can we please lay down our defensiveness and need to be right and extend a hand of love and mercy towards those who we may label as "other"?
Reading these books has shown me that I have much wisdom to gain from Francis. Do I ascribe to all of his theology and doctrines? No. But, like me, he is a human being seeking to know God and live accordingly.
Why has our culture devolved into "camps" and "sides"? ...Why is it Republican vs. Democrat, white vs. black, Muslim vs. Christian, science vs. faith, homosexuals vs. the church, and on and on I could go? Why can't we all humbly admit that we are imperfect people trying to make the world a better place?
Why can't Republicans and Democrats sit down and work together to find the best way to provide health care?
Why can't whites and blacks stop labeling each other and seek true reconciliation?
Why can't Muslims and Christians sit around a table and seek peace?
Why can't science and faith both admit they have beliefs they'll never be able to fully prove?
Why can't homosexuals and the church break bread together and learn to love instead of hate?
If your first response to any of these is to say "yes, but" then you, like me, want to defend the system that makes you more right than someone else.
I offer these thoughts not because I think I have all the answers, but because I know I don't. I am humbly reminded every day that someone is more intelligent than me, more compassionate than me, more giving than me, and more loving than me. And, if I'm truly honest, sometimes those someones are the people with whom I may disagree about something significant.
Can we please lay down our defensiveness and need to be right and extend a hand of love and mercy towards those who we may label as "other"?
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