Mutual Encouragement, not mutual Belief - June 15
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]; Num. 9:15-23, 10:29-36; Rom. 1:1-15; Matt. 17:14-21
When I went to seminary a decade ago, I was convinced that I would finally figure out my faith, or at least have a few answers that I was sure of. After studying with professors and fellow students, I was to come away ready to preach and proclaim the Gospel with confidence and boldness. The words above our iconic seminary window read, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” The fall of my junior year (the name for the first year in seminary) our chapel burned to the ground including this window, and oddly our seminary expectations were left smoldering in the remains. Two and half years later when I was commissioned by the seminary to go forth and do just that, I had more questions than answers wondering what it would truly mean to “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.”
One of the things I have noticed that we Episcopalians like to do is answer a question asked with certainty, and with a little bit of suspicion, or at least to try to unravel the other’s certainty. “Did Jesus really ascend up to heaven? Well, maybe?” “Did the transfiguration take place? I don’t know. What do you think?” “Was Mary really a virgin? Do you think she needed to be?” What is clear is the questions seem to be more important than the answers.
But here is where lies the problem. I find myself trying to correct people’s theology that I disagree with. While I am quite confident the earth is much more likely to be 4.5 billion years old than 6,000 years old, if I don’t like a person’s response, I find a way to unravel what they believe. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he is writing to the Christians living in Rome as he is staying across the sea in the town of Corinth. And he offers this in the middle of the first chapter, “For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine (1.11-12).” I am struck because obviously Paul believes he understands something that the Roman Christians don’t (i.e. he wants to strengthen them). But even as he writes to correct their faith, he recognizes that they will be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. These people who don’t have it all figured out and even need some correcting have something to offer Paul. Paul even recognizes this need.
I deeply believe that more than anything right now in our time and age, we need to learn to see people whom we disagree with or need to learn from and to listen to them, especially people’s voices that haven’t been lifted up, even if we disagree. In listening and learning we can find unity in our shared humanity. Maybe Paul’s vision of mutual encouragement can far extend beyond just our Christian faith and be a shared vision for how we can not only learn from each other but find mutual encouragement as well. In the end, we end up finding mutual encouragement, not mutual belief, and maybe this is much better.
-- John+
Questions for Self-Reflection
What are the beliefs of your faith that you are confident or certain about?
What are the beliefs of your faith that you are less certain about?
Daily Challenge
In a conversation with a friend, colleague, or family member today, you are likely to hear something you disagree with. Consider entering a conversation with purpose of sharing your disagreement and then seeking mutual encouragement for each other. How is this different when the goal becomes mutual understanding?