Homecoming
Between spending some time with the youth this week and seeing the decorations for homecoming, it is no wonder that my mind is reflecting back on my time in high school. Like many, I was an active student involved with a number of different things. As the class secretary for four years, I was very involved with student activities.
The high school I attended has a manual for how to decorate for homecoming. Each class had assigned colors and responsibilities. The four poles in the cafeteria had to be decorated in a very specific way. The drill team does their same dance to their same song as they have for many years. Certain bulletin boards were the responsibility of certain clubs. And decorating began a week before homecoming. Some of the traditions were "new" because we had only done them for the last 30 years or so. Others went back to the very beginning, over 100 years before. Tradition is strong.
Now that it is homecoming week here in Valley View, it has been a delight to see businesses decorated and people wearing their green gear. It is one of the gifts of high school football that it can unify and unite people who might not otherwise agree.
And so, homecoming is, in a way, a good starting point to think about theological unity. This past Sunday was September 11th. Much like December 7th, a day that will live in infamy for the American people. We know for a fact that people can sacrifice, be generous, and act with kindness. We have been witness to this. We know, that with God's help, we are capable of being all that God calls us to be. It is possible for us to build and participate in God's kingdom here on earth.
So what are the things that draw us away? What prevents us from coming home to God as a collective society every day? I don't think it's a lack of God. God is always present. And as we've seen in scripture more than once, our individual decision to participate in God's plans does not prevent them from happening. (Sorry Jonah, you were not the one to save Nineveh.)
And there, once again, we can draw inspiration from homecoming, but this time as a what NOT to do. Slogans like scratch the cougars and beat the bobcats did draw up images of violence, but are considered by most to be a reasonable expression of competiveness and fair play. Of course you want your team to win. But what words do you use to describe those who disagree with you? Do you call them.. stupid? Out of touch? Unworthy? Bad? Terrible at interpreting scripture?
And before you accuse me of politics with this one, I am speaking specifically of theological unity. It's not uncommon for people to disagree theologically in a church even if they agree on most topics. There's usually something that someone understands or interprets in a specific fashion that would make them a pariah, outcast, or rebel within their belief system if they gave voice to that understanding.
So rather than waiting for a disaster to find our heart for unity, rather than waiting on society to tell us it's okay to agree and disagree with people whom we love, let's follow the example Christ set. All are welcome at Christ's table. There is no entry fee. Any who are in earnest are welcome. Let's see if we can do the same. Because that's the kind of tradition that will serve God until the end of time.
