In our  angry, finger-pointing world, even Christian brothers and sisters quickly forget the teachings of Holy Scripture. There is disunity in protest. Signs, yelling into megaphones, polarization leave Jesus weeping.

How refreshing, then, to see the silent, peaceful demonstration the other day..  “Protesters” were simply standing still, eyes closed. Disarming on so many levels. Jesus is applauding. Kindness and humility will always win the day. We just aren’t teaching it so that it really sinks in. It’s as if we don’t believe it’s possible, in terms of overcoming all of the hatred and violence that grabs headlines. It is Ellen DeGeneres’ sign-off on her show: “Be kind to one another.” She, who knows full well what it is like to be misunderstood, bullied, ridiculed. This is our inheritance, St. Peter says. Keeping our lips and tongues from evil. Pursuing peace. I like that image. Peace is really elusive in our lives these days. We have to go after it, weed it out. It is so tough to parent these days. All of the distractions, all of the noise, the worldly messages that drown out the only message that matters: the love of Jesus. The church has all the tools to make this not so. Our human souls yearn for peace, unity with one another. It is how we are wired. The mainframe of humanity is programmed to seek out the Father, to draw near Him. The One who loves us unconditionally. May our retaliations be filled with blessing.

Pastor Art