Date: August 11th & 14th
Preacher: Pastor Ashley Rosa-Ruggieri
First Reading: Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalmody: Psalm 82
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:29--12:2
Gospel: Luke 12:49-56
When I was a resident assistant or RA in college, we would often have professional development sessions. In one of them, we were talking about conflict, and there was a quiz that helped us figure out what our conflict management style was. There were five possibilities, and each was represented by an animal. First, “avoidance” style was symbolized by a turtle. This is for those who would leave at the first sign of conflict, excusing themself and avoiding any conflict. Next was “accommodating” which was the teddy bear. This type might enter into the conflict, but they would give up plenty of their own wants or goals in order for the conflict to be over. Then there was the “aggressive” type, which was a shark. This type had no problem going straight into the conflict head-on, sometimes pushing and forcing until they get their way. Next was the “compromising” type, shown by the fox. This type worked to find the half-way point between all sides, focusing on a compromise that meant everyone met in the middle and was at least partially satisfied. Finally, there was the “collaborating” type, the owl. This type wanted to find a solution in the conflict where not only was it a compromise, but there was a sense of triumph for all parties, even if the outcome was not the same for all parties. After we took the quiz, we discussed with our neighbors, and I had two types that were quite high for my quiz—owl AND shark.
At first, I did not like this outcome. Of course, we were told that there was nothing inherently good or bad about each type, that each one had pros and cons, and yet, the shark type was portrayed to be so aggressive and pushy and commanding, I was upset that this could possibly be how I was perceived in conflict. It was not until continuing our conversations that I understood. The other RAs around me were mostly turtles and teddy bears, and I recognized very quickly into our conversation that just the idea of conflict made many of them uncomfortable. Their styles were ones that often led to a quick resolution because that meant that the conflict could be over sooner. This was not the case for me. I didn’t mind conflict, I still don’t today. I see it as something that happens, so we might as well embrace it as a part of life rather than rushing through it or ignoring it. My shark side, the aggressive type, was what pushed me to be okay with handling conflict and taking charge of moments when conflict arose. And then, once we were in that time of managing the conflict, that is when I was more like the owl. We talked about it, we considered what goals each side had, and we considered what was just in this situation. Some of my peers could not even imagine getting to that point because that would mean staying in that situation of conflict for an extended amount of time, that tension itself would be too much for them.
In today’s Gospel reading, it can feel a little alarming for those who avoid conflict to hear Jesus saying that he did not come here to create peace, but to create division. When we talk about the will of God or the reign of Christ, we often talk about what the world can be, without recognizing that the peace of God’s kingdom is not the peace of the world right now. So, let’s unpack what Jesus is saying here. He says that he has come to bring fire, and that he has a baptism to fulfill in himself. I want to point out that although we recognize water to be a sign of baptism, fire and the Holy Spirit are just as connected to it. John the Baptist said he would baptize with water, but someone else, Jesus, would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit. And so, when we talk about baptism, we are also talking about fire along with water. We are talking about fire as a sign of the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit comes to us and is joined with us in our baptism as a companion to accompany us in our walk here on earth. This Holy Spirit comes with fire.
Now, fire can be destructive, much like conflict or division. All of those things can be destructive, they can be harmful, they can leave marks and scars and burns. But fire can also be used to refine, division can also be used to point towards unity, conflicts can also be used to grow or construct a new foundation. Sometimes the only way to change something into something new is for the thing that was to be destroyed. This is oftentimes why we don't like change, why we don't like conflict, why we don't like division. We often would much rather just say no we are all united, we are all one, we all think/act/speak/believe the same way, so that any of that conflict, that fire, that division can be avoided. We would rather have a false sense of unity than have a sense of division that is hard to work through together. It feels easier to avoid the division than to give it room to breathe and be discussed.
And yet, we have this Gospel passage today, and we have Jesus, our Lord, and our guide, who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with fire and who is saying in this passage that he has not come to bring peace but to bring division, and that he wishes the fire he brings was already kindled. Jesus has not come to bring a false sense of unity but to point out the division that always has and always will exist in ways in our society. We are not called to be people that say we are united and do not recognize the divisions that exist among us. The things that separate us on Earth by class, race, gender, age, sexuality, country of origin, and so many more are the things that create divisions, and we are not called to ignore those divisions. We are not called to minimize those divisions. We are called by Jesus to say yes there is division AND we can talk about that division in order to take actions and work through it. We can make it so that acknowledging the division creates less inequity for all sides. When we talk about how God is with and among us, sometimes that means that God is with those we don't agree with, those we are divided from, and sometimes God is with those that we have actively or passively harmed through division.
Change then happens when we recognize the division among us and decide to move forward even when we don't agree, and especially when we are on the side of the divide that has more power. Division in Christ is saying “I recognize what is happening and I might not agree, but something new, just, and equitable could come out of this division and I am willing to embrace it and give it a try.” When we take that moment to embrace that division or the conflict that might go along with it, we are slowly adding kindling to the fire that Jesus was among us to nurture. A fire that destroys, when necessary, but also strengthens. A fire that inspires growth and health rather than only burning. A fire that reminds us of our baptisms and the Holy Spirit, who has claimed us all as children of God. All of this is done with the hope that the fire Jesus was here to bring us, the one that he wishes in this passage was already kindled, can be one that blazes among us today. Collaborating together and facing all our divisions, so that we might move forward, led by Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and a baptism of fire. Thanks be to God.