And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” vs. 11
John 17:11-16
As children of God and members of the peaceable kingdom we are daily reminded that we also live in the world and are subject to all its pressures and temptations. Like everyone else we get caught up in political drama, spend far too much time watching and worrying as the stock market rises and falls, and even imagine that self-indulgence will bring pleasure. Such things become the topics of daily conversations and lead us away from the joy of simplicity and the blessings of friendship. Frequently our dabbling in the ways of the world leads us into an ugly kind of partisanship that can destroy our peace of mind and ruin relationships. Even the refuge offered by faith communities can be infiltrated by our disagreements and worldly convictions. As we take up positions against one another our unity can be destroyed and our witness threatened. That was Jesus’ deepest fear as he got ready to leave his disciples. He knew how the world operates and he fervently prayed that his followers could remain one in the face of its temptations and threats. He also knew that sacrificial love was the only way to continue in unity with one another. It’s even more important than getting in the last word in any discussion or debate!
Thought for the Day: What’s the point of political bickering?
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