It is easy to take sides in a dispute without understanding the facts. Human nature is supportive of friends or family. I have reflected before on the dangers of polarisation of opinion, of being ‘black and white’ when in real life there is grey and even colour.
Several years ago I knew of two brothers, good friends who worked together and lived close by each other. Their families grew up together but over time the wife of one became embittered about her brother in law and her perceptions of things and, in effect, banned her husband from communication with his brother. The schism lasted for thirty years during which the cousins communicated normally but the two fathers never spoke. The wife died and the brothers re-established their relationship within weeks as though nothing had happened. One said ‘it was as though the last thirty years never happened’ and the other said ‘you have to be loyal to your wife but that is not always easy’.
Obviously I have over simplified the story to make a point. How tragic to lose thirty years of family connection because of a bitter person with a partial view of facts, for that is what it was that caused the problem.
We look at our cousins across the Atlantic in the United States of America as they reel in shock from the terrible violence in Washington that marked the transition from President Trump’s term of office to that of President Biden. Polarisation, politically extreme behaviour and too much ‘black and white’ opinion in the rhetoric has threatened the heart of the process of government in the Capitol. It is unwise to comment with anything other than regret and support for victims, although in this case the biggest victim could be the democratic process.
When mutual respect, acceptance of the views of others and living with difference of opinion fails schism can occur. Historically it has driven a fault line through the Church, sometimes through families and tragically, through and between nations. Awful consequences have followed.
A prayer
Lord God, help us to accept the differences between us that should give colour and not cause pain. Help us to forgive when we are overreacted against and help us to be gracious when we do not agree with others. We pray for healing in the world and in particular, we pray for peace, rebuilding and reconciliation within the United States of America.
Amen.