Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
Today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes one of the first snags the Church hit on its way to peace on earth, good will to men. Gentile widows were not receiving the same deferential treatment accorded to the Jewish widows.
In the last century Americans began to recognize that preferential option "for our own kind." It is very subtle and when we -- the dominant group -- are accused of it we invariably -- almost instinctively -- get defensive and resistant to change. We had this notion -- this conceit -- our administration was both just and generous. "And our system worked just fine until these newcomers, whom we welcomed with such benevolence, joined us. They should be grateful for what we give them, but they complain instead!"
The controversy gets more interesting when some individuals seem to create new identities out of thin air, gather themselves with their "right of assembly," complain of being overlooked or mistreated, and demand equal rights. "Where on earth did they come from?" the dominant group wonders.
And then, of course, members of the dominant group take up the chorus and say they too are oppressed minorities. I am an oppressed pipe smoker, oppressed Catholic, and oppressed white-man-in-general. That response leads nowhere.
Jesus assures us we can work it out. "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places." When we finally reunite in heaven, if anyone needs to stay hidden in his or her own sectarian, minority ghetto for half of eternity, they're welcome to do so. Most of us will come out sooner to enjoy the wonder of God in the astonishing variety of human persons.
Eternity is a long time and with God's grace we will learn to get along, and even to love and admire and defer to one another.
In the meanwhile, here in this messy world, grace teaches us to expect diversity, welcome differences, listen to complaints with humility and compassion, and honor the wonder of God's revelation in every human being.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.