From Compromise to Integrity

Today's readings: Psalms 65, 147:1-11; Isaiah 49:1-12; Galatians 2:11-21; Mark 6:13-29

Compromise is often described as an agreement whereby both parties get what neither of them wanted. The definition of compromise itself seems like an  unfortunate arrangement: sometimes it means to settle a dispute through concession, and other times it means to make something vulnerable. Today's reading from Galatians contains examples of both.

Cephas compromised his principles when he stopped eating with Gentiles to appease "the circumcision faction" - those who believed Gentiles could not become Christians without adopting Jewish law. Cephas' hypocrisy influenced those around him and weakened the integrity of the church in Galatia. This action is not so different from distancing ourselves from "the wrong kind" of people in our own churches. Some beliefs must not be compromised, especially if doing so results in excluding people from Christ's table.

Paul, on the other hand, while seen as too accomodating of Gentiles by many Jews, was a master of persuading communities to open up to "the other." Did this compromise leave both sides unhappy? Perhaps, but only for those who felt "I must be free to do what I want, and you are free to do what I want." A modern equivalent is the debate in the church over gay marriage, particularly the argument that it somehow cheapens "traditional" marriage. While we may disagree, allowing someone to practice their faith as they see fit is not the same as having it forced on us. In Paul's community, people were circimcised or not as they believed right, and no one was the lesser for it.

Mary Parker Follet said: "There are three ways of dealing with difference: domination, compromise and integration. By domination only one side gets what it wants; by compromise neither side gets what it wants; by integration we find a way by which both sides may get what they wish." Paul's church - our church - is at its best when it practices integrity in all senses. The Gospel and the Epistles are a story of how we learn again and again that God's love is not contained by our prejudices. Expansive, reckless love is at the heart of Christian integrity.

Evening readings: Psalms 125, 91

Faith in the Familiar

Today's readings: Psalms 54, 146; Isaiah 48:12-22; Galatians 1:18-2:10; Mark 6:1-13

Can you imagine any of your childhood friends becoming the Messiah? Neither could the people of Jesus’ hometown. When we know someone from before the time they were toilet-trained, or endure their period of adolescent moodiness, or witness other personal (all too humanizing!) traits, our ability to see her or him as truly extraordinary can evaporate. Executive washrooms are exclusive for a reason. Familiarity may not always breed contempt, but it doesn’t often promote respect.

When Jesus tried to teach in Nazareth, people took offense at his attempt. They asked: “Isn’t he just that carpenter? You know, Mary’s kid?”(Mark 6:3). Their unbelief amazed him, and limited his abilities (vv 5-6). Like a nightmarish high school reunion, his peers preconceptions negated all he had become. We benefit from hindsight, but how would we react if the neighbor kid started telling us we needed to rethink our concept of God?

Though none of our neighbors, children, siblings, parents or friends are likely to be the second coming of Christ, the reaction of the people of Nazareth serves as a warning. We don’t always want to hear challenging truths from someone we know well. We may brush off legitimate criticism from friends by reminding ourselves (and them) of their own faults. We might ignore good advice from Dad because “he always worries too much.” After watching our children make mistakes we warned them about, maybe we can’t learn to see them as capable adults. Companies often bring in consultants to point out obvious truths not because consultants are smarter, but because strangers lack the baggage we use to discredit our peers when we don’t want to hear them.

What damage do we cause our relationships when, even unknowingly, we dismiss people because they are familiar? Maybe we’re not preventing them from performing miracles, but how much might they accomplish if given a little faith? One way we can try to see the face of Christ in everyone is to define them by their potential, and not by their shortcomings. Sometimes they may let us down, but how we can rejoice when they lift us up!

Evening readings: Psalms 28, 99