November 3, 2024 Reflection

“I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”*

In Ephesians, Paul urges the early Christian community to walk in humility, gentleness, patience, and love, to be united as one in the Spirit of peace. As we think about these words today, we might see clearly just how radical and relevant this call remains. Living in unity, walking in humility, and holding space for each other’s humanity is still, in many ways, as challenging as it ever was.

Humility, as we heard earlier, is a word that shares its roots with “human.” Both words mean to be “on the ground.” To be human is to be rooted in the earth, grounded in a shared reality of vulnerability. It reminds us that we are not called to be lords over one another, striving to conquer or control, but to see one another as companions along the way.

Paul is calling us to something radical in today’s society—a society that often seems driven by the need to be “on top” and to stand firmly on one side of polarized issues. We see it everywhere: in politics, where party lines have grown more divisive; in social movements, where allies and opponents clash so frequently that conversations become impossible; and even in how we relate online, where quick judgments tend to drown out deeper understanding.

Yet, it’s in humility, Paul tells us, that unity lives. To truly be “one body and one Spirit,” we must learn to set aside our need to win and instead learn to see and feel what lies behind our differences. This doesn’t mean compromising truth or silencing our values. Instead, it means making space to honour our shared humanity by connecting to the “ground” we all stand on. After all, we are, in Paul’s words, part of “one hope” and “one faith.” And this common hope can be the bridge that allows us to find peace, even when we see the world in different ways.

Let’s think about a few recent global events as examples. The war and humanitarian crises in places like Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan have impacted countless lives, dividing people on political, ideological, and even religious lines. It’s easy to approach such conflicts with blame and judgment. But if we look first with humility—seeing these situations not as opportunities to affirm one “side” or another, but to understand human suffering—we see something different. We see mothers and fathers weeping for their children, communities torn apart, and a shared pain that transcends borders. The Spirit’s call to unity, to the “bond of peace,” invites us to lean in with compassion, to pray and to act for the healing of all, even those whom we might see as “the other.”

South of the border, but crossing into our own communities, we see division cutting sharply through political lines, as the U.S. approaches another presidential election on Tuesday. The stakes feel incredibly high, and the conversation surrounding this election has stirred deep fears, fierce loyalty, and intense division among friends, families, and even within churches.

Closer to home, we see tensions around issues like racial justice, the pipeline, land use, transgender rights, climate change, and public health. And even with our own recent provincial election here – it was so close – a sign of political division here in our own province. The world we live in often pits people against each other, demanding that we identify and dig into a side. But humility asks us to consider the pain and concerns behind each stance. What if we approached each issue first by asking, “What fears or hopes drive my neighbour to think this way?” Instead of debating to win, what if we came to these issues “on the ground”—seeking common humanity, common fears, and common hopes?

This is a reality we must acknowledge, and it’s one where Paul’s call to humility, patience, and love in Ephesians speaks directly to us. In the coverage of this election and other divisions in our communities, it’s easy to see the “other side” as an enemy, a threat to our values, our beliefs, or even our way of life. And while it’s natural to feel passionate, even fearful, we can’t allow this divide to overshadow our shared humanity. When Paul calls us to “make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” he’s asking us to recognize that the Spirit moves in each of us, regardless of political alignment.

This doesn’t mean we must water down our convictions or avoid difficult conversations. Instead, it invites us to approach them with humility—“grounded” in the shared experience of being human. This election season and just generally amid our divisions, let us remember that behind every individual is a story, a fear, a hope, and a sincere desire for a better world. Instead of engaging from a place of anger or judgment, we are called to step back and ask, “How can I listen with empathy? How can I see my neighbour not as a position, but as a person?”

We don’t have to agree with each other’s opinions to honour each other’s humanity. Perhaps we can all carry into this season a commitment to humility—a commitment to keep each other “on the ground,” connected to what binds us together as human beings.

In this polarized climate, let’s be a church that models how to engage across differences. Let’s lead by example, showing that it is possible to hold deep convictions while still bearing with one another in love. We are reminded today that the Spirit is working in all things and in all people, and that God’s love knows no party lines. By choosing unity and humility, we affirm that, ultimately, our hope is in something greater than any election, any candidate, or any policy. It is in God, who calls us to seek peace and love, especially amid division.

This passage outlines how we are called to be as individuals and as church.  We are called to maintain unity, and doing so with humility and gentleness, with patience and in love.  We are called to nurture this unity and care for it in the way that we treat one another.  We are called to unity in the midst of diversity.  Mahatma Gandhi said “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”

Unity is not uniformity.  Unity does not depend on excluding people until we are left with people who look, talk, think and act the same.  We are all different people with different gifts and different values, but we are one body of Christ.  We are given different gifts, not so that we would be uniform, but that in our differences we can serve God’s reconciliation with all of creation.  The mystery of God that is revealed in Christ does not eliminate the distinctions between people who are different from each other. Instead, what is made known through the church is “the wisdom of God in its rich variety” That each of us have different gifts and strengths, allows each of us to have a place here.

The Spirit given gifts that each of us have, equip us for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.  Differences are not divisions, and Spirit given differences in the church are not a problem – but are God’s gift so that together we can learn how to speak the truth in love.  Encountering and learning to love people who differ from us within the church, is what God desires for healthy community. 

I would say that the way we talk about this unity at Mt Seymour is in being community.  We are not all the same – but we are all welcome.  We don’t all think the same – but we are one body. 

If we are grounded in humility, striving for unity, and committed to loving each neighbour then we are walking in the way of Jesus, reflecting the great love in which we were created and the same love that holds us each day.

As we follow Paul’s words, we walk together in this spirit of humility. Let’s see beyond the divisions that so often distract us and instead seek to understand each other’s journeys, the unique “callings” we each follow. We may not all agree, and indeed, there are some principles and issues we are called to stand firm on. But even then, we can do so without dehumanizing one another. We can be “grounded” in love, understanding, and peace.

In this fleeting life, humility helps us remember the sacredness of each human story. With all our diverse experiences and beliefs, we are one in Spirit, one in hope, and one in the love of a God who calls us to bear with one another in peace. As we go forth, may we walk with humility, valuing every person as God’s own, building bridges of understanding and compassion for all. Amen.