Advent

December 5, 2019

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4-13

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Romans 15:4-6

I am writing this after watching the first Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing where law professors were sharing a bit of a tutorial on the Constitution as it relates to impeachment. Two differing opinions resulted. The Senators who were conducting the hearing were spit down party lines.

There is more dissonance present than harmony as they try to answer the political question “What is truth?” Once heard from the mouth of Pilate at the trial of Jesus, Pilate seemed inclined to let Jesus go, as he said “I find no case against him”*. What is sometimes lost in politics is what is right and what is just. Both require all to consider why they are taking the stance they are choosing and if that stance is the right and just stance for the issue being addressed.

Finding harmony requires first, that all participants desire harmony. Harmony is not easy. Some are blessed with perfect pitch but most of us must learn to match our voices or instruments to a tuning fork or other pitch source. Our tuning device is Jesus Christ. His life and his teachings give us a place to start. Practice and more practice are necessary at hitting the right pitch consistently. We are also required to stick to our part. There is no grandstanding in harmony. One might want to sing a solo with a broad vibrato but that might not work in a group. The same goes for loudness and softness. Christ is also our director. Harmony is at its best when we follow the director.

Prayer: God grant us the will to live in harmony that results in righteousness and justice. Amen.

*See John 18:38

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.