People of God’s light live lightly. When the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with two options, he rose above them with a third way. Today, the same Holy Spirit that lifted Jesus up and raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. So how can we be light enough to rise above polarization today?

Scripture readings:
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-13
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

Plough: “… conflict is often two people trying to occupy the same space at the same time and navigating that. It feels like we’re less and less able to navigate those spaces in a peaceful way. Why is that?”
Hauerwas: “It’s because there is a loneliness that possesses people, which means that we’re not sure who we are or who the other person is. This invites the sense that we must always protect ourselves. Isolation breeds mistrust, and mistrust encourages violence.”

Homework: Learn about “Third Way” ethics in a Mennonite Perspective. Here are some starting points: a summary of J. Lawrence Burkholder’s “Mennonite Ethics”, and an interview with Stanley Hauerwas, “Peacemaking is Political”.

Heartwork: Where do you feel trapped? What conversational “landmines” are you detecting? How does God see the issues, and how might God free you from other people’s traps? Pray that God’s Spirit would give you the wisdom and strength to rise above false options.