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We, as a community, are on a journey toward inclusivity. We strive to welcome, lift up, praise, and affirm all God’s people. Yet, we all know the struggle. We know the little voice that pushes us to eye others suspiciously because they don't conform to our standards.
We have biases. We judge and decide who belongs or the correct way to do things. It is part of our human nature. I am not pointing fingers because while I fancy myself to be inclusive, accepting, and open-minded, I know deep down that this is not always true.
Recently, I found myself judging others' casual attire at Sunday mass. My reaction surprised me, as I have always believed that attire at church does not matter. Who am I to say what someone should wear to mass and what difference does it make? It is so easy to think my way is the only way, and it is wrong.
If we are honest with ourselves, these moments pop up more often than we might like to admit. But we can choose how to respond. We can go with them, puffing ourselves up with righteousness, or view them as humbling moments when we realize our way is not necessarily the way of others.
The notion of inclusion and the acceptance of others despite differences is present in the readings today. In the first reading, there is consternation because two men chose to use their gift of prophecy outside of the area they are expected to be in – they chose a way different from all of the others. Moses defends the two men when it is brought to his attention remarking that the Lord would be pleased if all people acted as prophets. He did not banish them for acting differently than the other men assembled; he understood there was more than one way to do what the spirit of God called people to do.
In the gospel, we see the disciples worried that someone outside their group is casting out demons in the name of Jesus. They are uncomfortable and in what almost sounds like whining, they go to Jesus who assures them it is not an issue. It could be said they were protecting their territory while Jesus saw the bigger picture and assured them that good works, regardless of who does them, are good works. In modern terms we would say that Jesus favored a big tent where all sorts of characters are welcome.
In 2002, Sr. Margaret Farley, a Mercy sister and theologian, coined the phrase “the grace of self-doubt,” asking people in religious circles to consider that others might have ideas and experiences worth listening to when making decisions about matters of faith. She understood that life experiences colored actions and said that this idea of the grace of self-doubt "allows us to listen to the experience of others, take seriously reasons that are alternative to our own, rethink our own last word."
Think of the difference it would make if the grace of self-doubt were embraced outside religious circles. It has the potential to change political, community and family dynamics in a wonderfully powerful way.
This notion of the grace of self-doubt is front and center at the upcoming session of the Synod reconvening in October. Men and women, ordained and lay people, will listen to each other as they represent the wider church in examining how to move forward. Real-life experiences will sit right alongside long-held ways of doing things, sometimes challenging the traditional ways.
As Christians, we listen to and take the words of scripture to heart. They affect our life decisions. The words we hear today call us to consider that those we see as different or acting outside of our box have the same value in the eyes of God as we do and that we might have something to learn from them.
We are also called to speak up to defend those some see as outsiders, just as Moses and Jesus did.
Peace,
Anne
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