Most of us have seen the bumper sticker
that says, “I’d rather be______”, and you fill in the blank
with your favorite hobby. It may be golfing, fishing, spelunking,
or driving your other car. I must confess that as we begin our April
discussions on the subject of realignment, that bumper sticker seems
very appropriate. I’d rather be discussing marriage, worldviews,
or Narnia as we did during Wednesdays in Lent; quite frankly, I’d
rather be doing just about anything else. Now don’t take it
personally because I enjoy potlucks and I love to be with the people
of St. Alban’s, but our April meetings will be for a different
purpose.
We are gathering together to discuss
the conflict that is engaging the Anglican Communion worldwide. Sam
Portaro in his book, Conflict and a Christian Life, makes an
interesting observation concerning conflict, He says, “The word
conflict means, literally, “to strike together.” Conflict is the
collision of differences. The confrontation of difference may be
ordered and civil, or it may be chaotic and violent. It is always
challenging and often painful. We are largely averse to pain, so we
instinctively shy from that which is potentially painful.” Not
only do we shy away from what is painful but we are also fearful of
anything that threatens us. According to Portaro when we are faced
with differences, our instinct for survival kicks in, and we respond
defensively. In fact, change and difference may feel so threatening,
that we would rather be someplace else.
As we move from Easter and the
resurrection to conflict in the Anglican Communion, I am reminded of
Sam Portaro’s insight concerning the resurrected Christ and the
disciples. He says, “When Jesus revealed himself to his disciples
after the Resurrection, his appearing in their midst was itself a
conflict. Separated by the experiences of death and resurrection,
Jesus and the disciples were profoundly different. Whenever they
came together there was a fearful meeting of differences, a “striking
together” –a head-on collision of differences. On many of these
occasions Jesus’ first words to them were, “Do not be afraid.”
Perhaps there is more going on here
than we are aware of. Maybe it is not about solving problems, but
seizing opportunities. Maybe it is more than just seeking a
resolution. Perhaps, as Portaro says, “Conflict invites us to
revolution. Revolution, like its theological cousin, repentance,
suggests a turning that points us and moves us in a new direction.
It calls us into the continual process of change that is life
itself.” Whatever the conflict, whatever the differences we may
have, I hope the words of Jesus speak to you as they have me. “Do
not be afraid”.
By
God’s grace,
The
Rev. David H. Grissom
