As Jesus and
His disciples entered a Samaritan village on their way to Jerusalem, they weren’t
welcomed. James and John were
immediately on the defense and wanted to retaliate! “Lord, do you want us to
call down fire from heaven to consume them?” (Luke 9:51-56)
We’re all so
very human and like James and John; we want to even the score when we feel we’ve
been wronged, or some injustice has been wrought upon those we love. We’ve become a people quick to anger and slow
to forgive! Our world is filled with
violence and unrest! It’s become the
norm to call for someone’s job, throw the first punch, or—God forbid—pick up a
gun which ultimately ends in tragedy.
When did we become a people who favor revenge over reconciliation?!
The first
step to peace and reconciliation is to remember that God is with us! God is love!
God sees all people and creation with the eyes of love and as the love
children we are, we’re called to see the love of God in others, especially
those we don’t even like!
“Let us go with you, for we have heard
that God is with you.” (Zechariah 8:20-23). God is with
us, no matter our nationality, creed or color, whether vaccinated or
unvaccinated, young or old. If we truly
believe this, then what is stopping us from taking back our neighborhoods,
churches, schools, families, cities, towns and country. It’s way past time to promote reconciliation
rather than revenge, to live in love rather than anger.
It’s time to
recognize and appreciate the goodness of God found in the beauty of family, friends,
nature, moral and just leaders. Jesus
rebuked His disciples and journeyed on to another village. It’s time for us to do the same. Let’s begin in small ways, maybe making that
phone call to someone we haven’t spoken to in a long time, get reconnected, be
willing to say I’m sorry, let’s begin again!
Let’s be willing to sit at the same table with those we totally disagree
with the goal of working together to find a common ground. Let’s move on.
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