World Communion Sunday, October 1, 2017

I have observed a pattern in conversation lately. I’ve talked with a few people who are more willing to share a specific point of view than to hear a differing view. When there is a conversational shift toward politics or social and moral issues, the tone changes. Some people become uncomfortable and want to end the conversation, while others share their beliefs, but have difficulty hearing the beliefs of others. I have been part of a few discussions where civility has been lost in disagreement. Name-calling and sarcasm take over.

One choice I have in these conversations is to throw up my hands and be resigned to a culture shift toward polarization and divisiveness. But that is not what my faith calls me to. I believe that hearing each other out and choosing to agree or disagree with grace is an intentional practice.

Respect in our differences is part of the Methodist tradition. The Book of the Discipline of the United Methodist Church states: “Beyond the essentials of vital religion, United Methodists respect the diversity of opinions held by conscientious persons of faith. Wesley followed a time-tested approach: ‘In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.’”

“The spirit of charity takes into consideration the limits of human understanding. ‘To be ignorant of many things and to be mistaken in some,’ Wesley observed, ‘is the necessary condition of humanity.’ The crucial matter in religion is steadfast love for God and neighbor, empowered by the redeeming and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.”

I am reminded of family holiday gatherings. We may not all have the same “politics”, but love for each other keeps us seated at the same table. The same is true for people of the United Methodist Church. Today, we are reminded of this unity in Christ through World Communion Sunday.

In World Communion Sunday, it is as if the children of God gather at one table. We sit elbow to elbow with faithful Christians from all over the world. By choosing to come to the Lord's table on October 1 and every time we join for Holy Communion,  we say “yes” to unity in Jesus Christ.