#HolyMoments

As I reflect on Luke’s gospel this weekend, two lines spoke to me.

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you but rather division.”

Division! That sure does ring true for our times now especially if you listen to mainstream media. Families will be divided. Everywhere I turn now, that is what is happening. And many of us happily participate in the dividing by our comments on social media, through our bumper stickers, ignoring our neighbors and/or family in need as put our heads down and look the other way.

We are dividing ourselves by picking sides in every war, battle and/or skirmish—political, religious and social. We see our families and communities being divided by drugs and depression at alarming rates. We also see more and more people moving away from religious beliefs and practices which breaks down the community that develops when we pray together rather than singularly or not at all.

Recently I was speaking with a young man at a business conference. He told me that he was not raised with any faith and doesn’t have any today. He didn’t not believe but didn’t feel the need to go to the effort to get involved in an organized religion. He felt like living by the “Golden Rule” was enough. That is a great rule and practiced in a faith community has the ability to have a much deeper and greater reach.

“I’ve come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

In many ways I do feel the earth is blazing. There are “hotspots” of emotion everywhere, including in our own church, and if we continue like this we may burn up and burnout. The answer? In my opinion it is to create holy moments. Stop amplifying the differences among each of us and seek the common good.

Maybe God does divide us in order to wake each of us up so that we set the world on fire for the love of Jesus. Rather than hiding in our differences, we will seek to love one another for our humanness and to understand the other before judging and/or dividing them.

My husband and I had a holy moment last weekend when we were at AutoZone putting large amounts of oil into our Jeep. A stranger came over and offered to help. We didn’t necessarily need it but he knew a thing or two about cars so we accepted his help.  He went out of his way to offer some insight and kindness. After talking a bit, I offered him a hug for his kindness. For in these times where we are all so busy, often being divided, he took the time to just help. Where have you experienced a holy moment lately? Or better yet, where can you create one, or two or ten this week? Together, we can set the world on fire. #HolyMoment.

Reflection by Paula Harris