What does it mean to belong…to be ‘part of the family’? On a weekend when we are invited to honour the mothers (and mother figures) among us, it is good to remember that it takes more than just a biological connection – a shared name – or shared cultural history to make connections that are deep, meaningful and (dare I say it…) sacred.
The church has long used ‘family language’ to describe the sense of community, purpose and belonging that is part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We are children of God – a family of faith – brothers and sisters in Christ – the list is long, and the imagery is important. Family connections are powerful connections – though not always pleasant – and the notion that the church aspires to be ‘one big happy family’ remains a shining hope…
But all is not well. We are not ‘one big happy family’. We are a collection of small, frightened groups, separated by our culture, our experiences, our traditions and (sadly) our opinions about theology. So it is now – so it has always been. Egyptian vs. Hebrew; Jew vs Samaritan; Israel vs. Palestine; Roman Catholic vs Protestant; Progressive vs traditional; right vs left; US vs THEM. On every step of our discovery of what it means to be human; to be aware of the divine, to express an opinion about God, and dare to be faithful to that opinion, we have encountered (and too often, created) conflict. So much for ‘family harmony’.
Even in this morning’s readings, there is hint of worry along these lines. Jesus’ prayer – offered on the verge of his arrest – is a curious mixture of the generally broad love of God directed specifically toward ‘those whom you gave me’. Jesus is praying for his disciples, of course – but we are conveniently able to read this as a prayer for ourselves – for any who would follow – for all future generations of disciples. It is difficult to know (in the end) whom Jesus is praying for.
He talks (later in the prayer) about those who “belong to the world” and those (the disciples) who do not. He’s asking to be glorified – asking that his friends might recognize the truth – that they might be led safely through the troubles. “I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me…” says Jesus. Disciples vs ‘the world’.
It is more complicated than that, of course – more nuanced – but the fact remains that after Jesus is taken from them (again) the disciples work begins with a discussion…and a decision. For another of their number is (of course) missing in action. Jesus – crucified, dead and risen – is now ascended; taken from their sight. But Judas, ‘the betrayer’ is also lost to them; dead by his own hand. The family has been fractured, and the first order of business becomes “who will replace Judas?”
Judas had a crucial part in their ministry, from the beginning. Sadly – tragically, he played his part in the end too – though there is evidence (in Matthew’s gospel) that Judas repented of his role and even tried to return the money (Matthew 27: 3-10). But whatever the circumstances, Peter convinces the others that another witness is needed. The requirements are particular; one who has been with us from the Baptism of John until the day Jesus was taken up from us. One of the men must fill the void. One who is known, trusted and familiar with all that has happened. He must be ‘one of us’…
It’s understandable, I suppose, that the friends of Jesus would look to strengthen their position from within. Dangerous times have surrounded them; their teacher an friend has been killed – Jesus death might have been the end of the movement…but for God’s intervention. Now they are resolved to continue the work – the preaching, the debate – proclaiming the kingdom, healing the sick. They need all the help they can get. But their decision to replace Judas sets a difficult precedent. They have ‘drawn lots’ – they will ‘keep it in the family’ – the ‘us against them’ theme will continue.
We often look to the early chapters of the book of Acts as the ‘birthplace of the church’. The patterns of life amongst the disciples after Jesus is ‘taken from them’ are idealized. New members are added daily – there is harmony and the sharing of goods. There were wonders and signs (to the amazement of the general population…) and people wanted to be part of this. Followers of Jesus are supposed to ‘stand out from the crowd’. We see the world differently – we are called to love God and neighbour – but our difference shouldn’t become a barrier.
Religion is a formalized effort to understand and describe the world around us. Religion offers rituals, stories and practice that helps the faithful live lives of order in a chaotic world. And there are many different religions. Our Christian faith shares stories with our Jewish and Muslim neighbours, yet we each continue to act as though ours was the ‘one true word’. The history of just these three religions is full of darkness and despair. Our suspicions about these children of Abraham – our behaviour towards these who are also beloved by God – reveals much about our fierce competitive nature, and little about the nature of our faith.
It is natural to wish to protect ourselves – to vote, as the disciples did, for strength in numbers. It is prudent to ‘keep it in the family’ when the experience is fresh and the life of faith is new and fragile and full of uncertainty, and the disciples tentative first steps toward a new kind of faith can be forgiven. But we need no such excuses.
We have the benefit of two-thousand years of learning – two-thousand years of KNOWING that our job is not to safeguard the faith. The life of witness and service that Jesus invites us to share is a life that sets us apart from the life of fear and hatred that is too common among humans.
That tendency to fear and hatred has been front page news lately. Church bombings in Indonesia; a knife attack in Paris; an obscenity-filled rant in a Lethbridge restaurant, to name but a few examples. Our alarming reflex to lash out at those who are different seems constantly on display. The more we learn about the strange and wonderful diversity that the world has to offer, the less tolerant we seem to be of that diversity. The world gets smaller, and unfortunately our world-view gets smaller too. We imagine that what makes us unique – our language, our religion, our ‘values’ (whatever that means) – are somehow threatened by the very existence of those who are different.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
What makes us different as followers of Christ is Jesus call to extract ourselves from the binary divisiveness of the ‘us versus them’ mindset. Tell the story, certainly; live in the light of the resurrection, absolutely; but in all this, love God with all your heart soul mind and strength…and love your neighbour as yourself. Your rich neighbour. Your poor neighbour. Your gay neighbour. Your divorced neighbour. Your single, married, immigrant, first-nation, Muslim, Jewish, Hindi, pagan, atheist, arrogant, irritating isolated neighbour.
In the ‘battle for culture’ – the ‘war against drugs’ – the only weapon required is the least likely weapon of all. Love.
To offer love makes us vulnerable, of course – open to all manner of abuses. To live in love is to struggle against our deeply ingrained sense of self-preservation. But God is with us (we say) so who can stand against us? Our lives – thanks to God’s act of love that raised Jesus from the dead – no longer hang in the balance. The battle is over; the victory is God’s. We do not need to fight for our rights or defend the faith. A faith that sets ‘us against any’ is indefensible. We need only recognize that the family of God is vast – and the love of God is sufficient – and then we might try living as though we believe that to be true.
With God’s help, may it soon be so.
Reflections from here 