Posted by The WORD in other words (2013) by Fr. Simon Boiser SVD – Berlin, Germany
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
A faith conversion is not merely a fight against the old self. It is often a struggle against others who don’t understand one’s change of worldview and lifestyle. A common story is told of a young man who went to college and studied natural science. During his research, he was so perplexed by the complexites of the universe that he eventually became an agnostic. Upon returning home, his mother noticed his change of attitude and exclaimed in tears, “Did we not raise you as a good Christian? Now I have a son who is an agnostic.” A few years later, the young man continued searching for truth, stumbled into a Christian sect and became its pastor. Hoping that his mother will approve this time, he told her about his conversion. But she exclaimed in tears, “Did we not raise you as a good Christian? Now I have a son who is a religious fanatic.”
Religious faith entails an inner decision with external consequences which affect our usual dealings with others. Suddenly we do things differently and this alteration baffles often our family and close friends who think they know us and how we think. Some might wish us well and support us. But others could also reject us, not because of our personality but because of the content of faith which we newly adhere. That is why being a christian ultimately means belonging to a community of shared faith where one feels accepted and respected for his religious view.
Although it is easy to join any Christian church nowadays, it is quite difficult to remain loyal in that chosen community and faithfully serve its not-so-perfect members. One could still be rejected within the group and feel discouraged of its collective behavior. A Christian friend told me once, that he had joined a charismatic group because of its inspiring spirituality. But he left it sadly upon experiencing some member’s penchant for backbiting and bragging. Divisions within a community is a painful reality typical to every complex social organization.
Jesus warns us of this church deficiency and challenges us by accepting and transcending it. The real witness of Christian faith, which professes the love of neighbor and unity in diversity, is rightfully tested within a household of believers. Some of whom might be unexpectedly one’s worst enemies. Such adversaries are not necessarily those who hate us personally but those whose different convictions conflict with our own. Loving them may mean accepting humbly irreconcilable differences and finding ways of peaceful co-existence.
Life is not solely existing but co-existing with others, who don’t fit to our wishes and ideals. Following Jesus commandment of love means being baptized with fire. A fire which purifies our selfish hearts and strengthens our will to be at peace with others despite unavoidable strife and divisions.
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