I went to the pharmacy yesterday to pick up a new prescription (another post). The pharmacist attends my church, and we chat when I am there. This week, he said, "I won't be there this Sunday, I'll be visiting my son in Sioux Falls." We talked a minute and he said "Maybe I'll visit the cathedral. I don't think I'll go to that church--what is it? Really low or high church--Good Shepard, it's called?" I nodded. "That is the church that didn't send any delegates to the Diocesan convention." His eyebrows shot up in knowing. "Oh. One of those churches. I guess I will be going to the cathedral."
After I left, I pondered our encounter. I've skipped attending one of those churches when I visited my friend who lives in the Diocese of Albany. But, do we do anyone any favors when we do that? After all, we are tacitly refusing to eat at the table with those who have differing opinions than we do. If we will not eat at the same table, how can we visit? How can we understand each other? Do we have so little in common that we cannot commune together? I would think (I'm speaking to myself) that we have more in common in Jesus than we have in difference.
Let us pray for the Church universal, that we all may be one. We are one in Christ.
3 comments:
Amen sister. What a post. It really got me and reminded me that we are called to much more.
Thank you for this thought provoking post. I pray that we are all united in some way, at the table.
I know what you mean but isn't it frustrating when others in the club choose not to follow the club's conventions? What are they telling the rest of us about themselves?
Absolutely. It is as "If you don't do things my way, I'm taking my ball and going home." Those folks never are fun to play with.
I think part of the reason I've avoided attending these schismatic churches is that I do not wish to be identified with them. I don't want to be seen walking out of one and have people think, "Well, there goes a narrow minded, smug person," or whatever. I'm an Episcopalian precisely due to the welcoming embrace of all people. But I still think it is sad that many of us want to concentrate on our differences instead of our unity in Christ Jesus.
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