Working Together (10/01/2023)

When my children were living with us, my husband and me, they helped with dishes every evening beginning when they were 4 years old. As four-year-olds, they could help clear the table of silverware and glasses. As five-year-olds, they got to bring the plates to the sink, also. When they reached the age of 6, they donned a small apron and stood on a stool and helped wash the dishes. As they grew, more responsibility was added such as washing the table, washing the pots and pans, and sweeping the floor. By the time the three of them (born a year apart) were 6, 7, and 8, a new rule was established at our home: the cook doesn’t clean up. I loved it.

The whole time the kids were growing up until they went off to college one at a time, there were constant negotiations between them as to who held which specific responsibilities: table clearer, dishwasher loader, pots and pans scrubber, table washer and floor sweeper. I left it to them to negotiate. To this day the rule that the cook doesn’t clean up holds. And to this day, when we gather for a family dinner, all 16 to 20 of us, I chuckle from a distance as I watch them negotiate who will do what. And I thank the LORD for this simple opportunity of teaching my children to work together.

This week as I watched the fiasco on Capitol Hill over the funding of our government, I must admit I wished those representing all of us had learned to work with one another somewhere along the way. Unity seems to be a rare commodity in our government, and I’ve noticed it is mirrored in the general population. At times I scratch my head over the things we argue about, the things that polarize us. Why does it have to be this way? I can only reason that too many have forgotten where we are blessed to live – the United States of America. Unity is a part of our identity; unity should be one of our most treasures gifts.

Years ago, when I worked as the Director of Pastoral Services and had to help parishes learn to work together because they were going to share a pastor, I would begin our first meeting by asking them to work in separate groups to identify the 10 most important things about their individual faith communities. Without exception, as I then have them write them on white board and post them in the front of the room, the two or more faith communities would realize all that they shared, all that united them. And we would start there rather than focusing on what separated them. Our goal after the initial exercise was to find ways to grow together.

Unity, you see, is also a big deal in our faith. Christ calls us to be one, united in Him. And I must admit to being saddened at times by the division I see within faith communities. Today’s second reading from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians explicitly calls us to unity in Christ. I pray that as this reading is proclaimed today, we may all take it to heart and make it our priority during this time of great division and polarization. We are called, as followers of Christ, to love one another, to exercise compassion and mercy, and to be “united in heart, thinking one thing.” Paul is reminding us that when we work together both of us are “served.”

Today, my prayer for us is that the gift of selflessness required for unity might be stirred within us again and that we will look for ways to work with one another for the love and glory of our LORD and the good of all.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.