There is an orienting principle that can guide us in these times fraught with easy anger and blame. It is the orienting principle preached and lived by Jesus; love God, love your neighbor, love yourself. As I skim re-posted articles on Facebook, letters to the editor and more, the desire to blame and shame is evident.

Our congregation has grown our capacity for hospitality: the kind that Abraham demonstrated when he fed strangers, the kind Jesus demonstrated when he ate with outsiders. We haven’t arrived, but we are growing in that direction. Every time we participate in the blame and shame of the world around us, we diminish our capacity to be Christ’s hospitality in our time.

Another orienting principle is “whenever you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.” If our words and actions inhibit the well-being of people living on the margins of society, we inhibit the well-being of Christ. The way of Jesus is the way of compassion. The compassion of Christ begins from a place of love, not fear.

As we live in these times of fearfulness, anger and blame, we would do well to ask ourselves these questions before we speak or act. Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?

Peace, Mike and Julie