9 May 2005

With so many divisions in the Church I would like to return to 1 Corinthians and the graciousness of the Community of the followers of Jesus.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:3)

I wanted to start with a simple notion. Grace and Peace comes into the mix of the community that is being shaped by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit moves among us. The Spirit moves us beyond ourselves. The Spirit carries us into the living reality of the Grace of God that is always made known among the people who call Jesus, Lord and Christ. The Spirit creates - in the middle of this graciousness within the community - the Peace of God's Reign that, quite frankly, befuddles us. The Peace that abounds among is part of our character. Peace is always an interactive reality because a body/community cannot be at peace unless it is completely connected and has a sense of balance and unity. Paul will eventually talk about the body and unity and resolution of conflict within this letter to the Corinthians, but it all takes place as he stand on a foundation of the Grace of God that is and will be and makes for our Peace.

Connection: The more I listen to the divisiveness of the Church (which can even be heard outside the Church) the more I am convinced of our need to rest - breathe - and consider the Good News of the Reign of God. When we are about to fight or swear at the "other" side, how do we keep in mind the universal nature of the love of God that we can see so vividly in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? This does not mean we do not stand tall. Rather it means we do not give up this Gracious foundation for anything less. In that stand is a Power that is beyond our capabilities and yet is a gift to us.

Open our eyes again, O Lord. Just as you always take our hand and lead us beyond the turmoil of this day be our guide that walks us within the domain of your gracious Reign when there is nothing but talk of division and hatred. Amen.