{"id":25690,"date":"2017-01-20T20:37:15","date_gmt":"2017-01-21T02:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=25690"},"modified":"2017-04-17T21:57:34","modified_gmt":"2017-04-18T01:57:34","slug":"the-storm-of-division","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-storm-of-division\/","title":{"rendered":"The Storm of Division","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Hurricane Sandy<\/em>, Photograph by Ken Cedeno, Corbis Images<\/span><\/p>\n

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WHETHER <\/strong>it has been global politics, the recent American presidential campaign,\u00a0or family relationships, we are living in a time when divisions <\/em>are becoming more glaring, intense and bitter. In fact, the more we are connected by social media, the more divided we seem to be as\u00a0Facebook, forums, and comment sections become a platform by which to disparage the other\u2014even one’s own kin… even one’s own pope. I\u00a0receive letters from all over the world that mourn the terrible divisions that many are experiencing, particularly within their families. And now we are seeing the remarkable and perhaps even prophesied disunity of “cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops”<\/em> as foretold by Our Lady of Akita in 1973.<\/p>\n

The question, then, is how to bring\u00a0yourself, and hopefully your family, through this Storm of Division?<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n

ACCEPT THE CHRISTIAN’S LOT<\/p>\n

Immediately following the Inauguration speech of President Donald Trump, a news commentator\u00a0wondered if the new leader’s frequent references to “God”\u00a0were an attempt to unite the entire country under one\u00a0banner.\u00a0Indeed, the moving inaugural prayers and blessings also frequently and unapologetically invoked the name of Jesus<\/em>. It was a powerful witness to a part of the historical foundations of America that seemed all but forgotten. But that same Jesus also said:<\/p>\n

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Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. (Matt 10:34-36)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

These mysterious words can be understood in light of Christ’s other sayings:<\/p>\n

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This is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed… They hated me without cause… because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. (John 3:19-20; 15:25; 19)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The truth, as revealed in Christ, not only liberates, but it also convicts, angers, and repels those whose conscience is dulled or who reject the Gospel’s tenets. The first thing is to accept this reality,\u00a0that you too<\/em> will be rejected if you associate yourself with Christ. If you cannot accept it, then you cannot be a Christian, for Jesus said,<\/p>\n

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If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

That is, if anyone compromises the truth\u00a0in order to be accepted and approved\u2014even by one’s own family\u2014they have placed\u00a0the idol of their ego and reputation above God. You have repeatedly heard me quote John Paul II who said, “We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-church, etc.”. I believe we will see the inevitable division between darkness and light intensify in the months\u00a0and years ahead. The key is to be prepared for this, and then to respond as Jesus did:<\/p>\n

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…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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JUDGMENTS: THE SEEDS OF DIVISION<\/p>\n

One\u00a0of the most insidious ways that Satan is working today is through sowing judgments in hearts. May I give you a personal example…<\/p>\n

A few years ago, I felt a swell of rejection coming from all sides\u2014just one of the costs of doing this\u00a0particular ministry. However, I left my heart unguarded, and in a moment of self-pity, allowed a judgment to take hold in heart: that my wife and children also <\/em>reject me. In the days and months that followed, I subtly began to say and project things on them, putting words in their mouths, that suggested that they did not love\u00a0or accept me. This puzzled and troubled them… but then, I believe they too began to lose confidence in me as a husband and father. One day, my wife said something to me that was straight from the Holy Spirit: “Mark,<\/em> stop letting others remake you in their image, whether it’s me or your children or anyone else.<\/em>” It was a grace-filled moment of light when God began to unmask the lie. I asked forgiveness, renounced those lies that I had believed, and began to let the Holy Spirit remake me again in God’s image\u2014His alone.<\/p>\n

I remember another time when I was giving a concert to a small crowd. A man with a scowl on his face sat through the evening unresponsive and, well, scowling. I remember thinking to myself, “What is wrong with that guy? What a hard heart!” But after the concert, he came up to me and thanked me, evidently touched by the Lord. Boy, was I wrong.<\/p>\n

How many times do we read someone’s expression or actions or emails and assume <\/em>they are thinking or saying something they’re not? Sometimes a friend withdraws, or someone who was kind to you suddenly ignores you or doesn’t readily respond to you.\u00a0Often times it has nothing to do with you, but with something that they are going through. More often than not, it turns out that others are just as insecure as you.\u00a0In our compulsive society, we need to resist jumping to conclusions and instead of thinking the worst, assume the best.<\/p>\n

Be the first one to diffuse those judgments. Here’s five ways how…<\/p>\n

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I. Overlook the faults of another. <\/u><\/p>\n

It is inevitable that even the most in-love newlyweds will eventually come face to face with the faults of their spouse. So too with roommates, classmates, or colleagues. Spend enough time with\u00a0another person, and you are sure to be rubbed the wrong way. That is because all <\/em>of us are subject to fallen human nature. This is why Jesus said:<\/p>\n

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Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned… (Luke 6:37)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There is a little Scripture I continually remind my children with whenever there are little squabbles, and\u00a0in particular, whenever we are ready to pounce on the other’s shortcomings: “bear one another’s burdens.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. Bear one another\u2019s burdens<\/em>, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:1-2)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Whenever I see the faults of others, I try to quickly remind myself that not only have I often failed in similar fashion, but that I have my own faults and am still a sinner. In those moments, rather than criticizing, I choose to pray, “Lord, pardon me, for I am a sinful man. Have mercy on me and on my brother.” In this way, says St. Paul, we are fulfilling the law of Christ, which is to love\u00a0one another as He has loved us.<\/p>\n

How often has the Lord forgiven and overlooked our faults?<\/p>\n

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Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil 2:4)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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II. Forgive, again and again<\/u><\/p>\n

In that passage from Luke, Jesus continues:<\/p>\n

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Forgive and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There is a\u00a0popular song where the lyrics go:<\/p>\n

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It’s sad, so sad
\n Why can’t we talk it over?
\n Oh it seems to me
\n That sorry seems to be the hardest word.<\/strong>
\n \u2014Elton John, “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bitterness and division are often the fruits of unforgiveness, which can take the form of\u00a0ignoring someone, giving them the cold shoulder, gossiping or slandering them, dwelling on their character faults, or treating them according to their past.\u00a0Jesus, again, is our best example. When\u00a0He appeared to the Apostles in the upper room for the first time after His resurrection, He did not scorn them for fleeing the garden. Rather, He said, “Peace be with you.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled. (Heb 12:14-15)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Forgive, even if it hurts. When you forgive, you break the cycle of hatred and release the chains of anger around your own heart. Even if they can’t forgive, you at least are free. <\/em><\/p>\n

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III. Listen to the other<\/u><\/p>\n

Divisions are often the fruit of our incapacity to listen to one another, I mean, really<\/em> listen\u2014especially when we’ve built a tower of judgments against the other. If there is someone in your life\u00a0with whom you are bitterly divided, then if possible, sit\u00a0down and listen<\/em> to their side of the story. This takes some maturity. Hear them out without being defensive.\u00a0And then, when you’ve listened, share your perspective gently, patiently. If there is good will on both parts, usually reconciliation is possible. Be patient because it may take a while to untangle the judgments and assumptions that have created a false reality. Remember, what St. Paul said:<\/p>\n

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…our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. (Eph 6:12) <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Every one of us\u2014left, right, liberal, conservative, black, white, male, female\u2014we come from the same stock; we bleed the same blood; we are all one of God’s thoughts. Jesus didn’t die for just good Catholics, but for bad atheists,\u00a0stubborn liberals, and proud right-wingers. He died for us all.<\/p>\n

How much easier it is to be merciful when we recognize that our neighbour really isn’t the enemy after all.<\/p>\n

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If possible, on your part, live at peace with all… Let us then pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another.\u00a0(Rom 12:18, 14:19)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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IV. Take the first step<\/u><\/p>\n

Where there is discord and division in our relationships, as true Christians, we have to do our part to bring it to an end.<\/p>\n

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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matt 5:9)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And again,<\/p>\n

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…if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matt 5:23-24)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Clearly, Jesus is asking you and me to take the initiative.<\/p>\n

I remember\u00a0at the beginning of my ministry several years ago, a certain priest seemed to have it in for me. In meetings, he would frequently be abrupt\u00a0with me and generally cool afterward. So one day, I approached him and said, “Fr., I\u00a0have noticed that you seem to be a bit upset with me, and I was wondering if I have done anything to offend you? If so, I want to apologize.” The priest sat back, took a deep breath and said, “Oh my. Here I am a priest, and yet, it is you\u00a0who have come to me. I am deeply humiliated\u2014and I am sorry.” He went on to explain why he was impertinent. As I explained my perspective, the judgments unraveled, and there was nothing left but peace.<\/p>\n

It is hard and humiliating at times to say, “I’m sorry.” But blessed are you when you do. Blessed are you.<\/p>\n

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V. Let go…<\/u><\/p>\n

The hardest thing to do in division is to “let go,” especially when we are misunderstood\u00a0and the judgments\u00a0or gossip or rejection hang over our heads like an oppressive cloud\u2014and we are helpless to dispel it. To walk away from a Facebook fight, to let someone else have the last word, to end without justice being done or your reputation vindicated… in those times, we are most identified with\u00a0the persecuted Christ: the mocked, ridiculed, misunderstood One.<\/p>\n

And like Him, it is better to choose “peace” by silence. [1]<\/sup><\/a>cf. The Silent Answer<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span>