WATCHWORD:
36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas. Acts 15:36-40
A friendly discussion can be as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron. Proverbs 27:17
Meditation:
Sparks Fly
It was such a little thing, a small thing. Some might say it was a stupid thing that led to angry words, a slammed door, and, much later, forgiveness asked for and given. Relationships are often shaped and reshaped by conflict, by arguments, by differences of opinion. Sometimes the relationship is strengthened, sometimes the relationship does not survive.
We see that in an incident that occurred early in the history of our Christian faith. You’ll remember the story; Barnabas, Paul and Mark set off on the first mission journey, planting churches and spreading the teachings of Jesus throughout the Middle East. Then Mark, a young man, probably in his late teens, finds it hard to continue, and he returns to Jerusalem.
The journey completed, Barnabas and Paul appear before the Council of Jerusalem, successfully arguing that Gentile Christians need not follow Jewish law. Plans are then discussed about a second mission journey, and sparks fly! Two iron-willed Christian leaders in conflict over having Mark accompany them. The friendship is broken, or at least damaged, and the two go their separate ways, Barnabas with Mark, Paul with Silas. The breach lasted for a time.
I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that people sometimes disagree. Sometimes that disagreement disrupts a friendship, a relationship, a marriage. Sometimes that disagreement redefines the relationship, and it becomes stronger. Sometimes those disagreements present a challenge to reevaluate, and to either step up or move away from the relationship. A disagreement unresolved, is like cancer to a relationship. Hurt feelings, fester and the infection spreads.
For Paul and Barnabas, the break in their relationship was healed three years after the argument. It was at the start of Paul’s third mission journey. Paul had gone to Antioch and spent time with Barnabas in preparation for what was to come. Maybe it was because Mark had begun to prove himself equal to the task of a disciple of Christ and was beginning to write his letter to the churches. Whatever the reason, by then, Paul and Mark had grown closer on the strength of their mutual love for Christ.
Two iron-willed leaders, or groups. Churches have divided and broken apart on the basis of unresolvable issues, where the sides cannot compromise. Issues as earth-shattering as carpet color, use of a room, or the mechanics of Baptism (three forward or three backwards), to name only a few. After all, we have nearly 50,000 protestant denominations! And we call ourselves Christians!
When it comes down to the clash between two people who love one another, it would seem to be an easy matter to put down the weapons (words) and open arms. And yet, without Christ, it is so very hard. So be it.
Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life. Amen.
