[Septuagesima Sunday, 1967] And, after all, am I not arrogant too? Am I not unreasonable, unfair, suspicious and often quite arbitrary in my dealings with others? The point is not just “who is right” but “judge not” and “forgive one another” and“bear one another’s burdens”. This by no means implies passive obsequiousness and blind obedience, but a willingness to listen, to be patient. This is our task.
Thomas Merton. The Road to Joy, Robert E. Daggy, Editor (New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1989): 96-97
Monday, November 09, 2009
Moving Beyond the Question of "Who is Right"
Posted by rheimbro at 11/09/2009 01:14:00 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Great choice of passage. For some reason "who is right" is always so impossible to let go of. Even when we remember that's not really a biblical question like the others are and try to start with them, we are so easily tempted to use our decision to forgive and bear as an all to important expression of our rightness again.
Great but difficult to apply guides as a pastor dealing with conflict management, and as a guy trying to live communally
That's true. I was just talking to someone last night about how when two opposing views are being debated (Women in ministry for example), each side can dig in their feet as if one's salvation actually depends upon how one views the issue. It is as if they are no longer interpreting and contemplating the meaning of scripture, but have now become the actual mouthpiece of God. Ultimately I don't actually believe there is any view or belief that I hold that can be held outside of the lordship of Christ. I feel secure enough in Him that I am more than willing to be corrected in the end.
Post a Comment