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