Face to Face

1 John 1 - 15

I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

It is well known in the Episcopal Church, that there are tensions in the Diocese of Florida that seem irreparable. It does not matter what the source of those tensions is, but the reality is that both sides have difficulty being in the same room together. It weighs heavily on my heart and hearts of many of us who long for Beloved Community in the Body of Christ.

Months of go I dreamed that I invited one of the clergy members from the "other side" to join me in a discipleship group. I shared that dream with friends, and people smirked and shook their heads and said no way. Today I will be at a graduation party with this clergy person, and I feel compelled to issue that invitation. This reading from 1 John encourages me to do so, as does the prayer below "In Times of Conflict."

As I prayed this morning it occurred to me that we might be on different sides of the aisle, but we will never be on different sides of the altar. And so in honor of the Body of Christ broken for us at the altar, I will talk face to face "with forbearance and respect" to my fellow Christian as though there is an altar in front of us.

Please pray with me.

In Times of Conflict

OGod, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Book of Common Prayer