It’s commonplace these days to say that we live in a polarized and polarizing world. Many officials we are electing on a national scale are very ideologically driven, and fewer are pragmatic problem solvers. In terms of family, a majority of Americans now flinch at the idea of their child marrying a supporter of a different political party. A 2018 study of the 2016 presidential election found that Americans spent thirty to fifty minutes less than they did in previous years at Thanksgiving dinner celebrations in politically contested areas. Many of us bear sad witness to this ongoing and worsening tension within our own families over religion, politics, public health and matters of race, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Surely, we say to ourselves, our faith can help heal this polarization. Undoubtedly, we believe, God wants our families and communities to thrive, and know deep unity. But there is an interesting hitch. In Matthew 10, Jesus said that he did not come “bring peace to the earth.” Rather, he came to bring a sword…to “set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother.” So the prophetic voice of Jesus does not bring immediate relief to this longing for enhanced connection and reconciliation.
So perhaps it is time for these two things, our longing for connection and this demanding teaching of Jesus, to have a chat. We’ll do that in sanctuary worship this week, as the sermon is titled, “Weaving Together a Torn Apart World”, arising from Matthew 10: 34-39, to be read by Eric Metzler, and Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, to be read by Jason Peifer. We will be led musically by the Chancel Choir, accompanied by Matthew Wachtman. We will sing hymns, pray and have a moment for children.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream. To join online, visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 AM, and click on the Live Stream banner.