31 Days of UnitySample

(Re)flect: Scientists who have studied the human brain tell us that one of the fastest firing systems in our brains is the system that categorizes people. It happens instantly, faster than any conscious thought. When we meet someone our brain absorbs a huge amount of information from someone’s appearance, dress, language, and mannerisms, and then decides whether or not this person is one of “our people”. Is this someone safe? Are they like me? Are they a threat? Are they weird? Are they someone I should be scared of?

This part of our brains is super helpful and very problematic! As we grow up, our culture teaches us how to categorize people. We are taught who is safe, who is scary, who we like and should trust, and who we should ignore or flee from. This makes the call to love all people, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, rather complicated. Our brains are not wired to do that! They have to be rewired to do that work.

As Jesus trains his disciples, he is working to rewire their brains so that they encounter people differently. The disciples were a diverse group with very different experiences of the world. They brought all of those experiences with them into their discipleship journey. They had to learn how to relate to and love one another. This wasn’t quick work! There was a lot of bickering and grumbling among the disciples. It was even more difficult when Jesus led them outside of their comfort zones to encounter the “other”, the people their brains were wired to hate or fear. Through their increased exposure to those different from them, and Jesus’ guidance in how to see their worth and love them, slowly but surely the disciples' brains began to catch up to the love of God.

In seeking unity, we must undergo the same brain transformation as Jesus’ disciples. This passage reminds us of how hard and necessary this transformation is for our call to love God and one another. It begins with humility and acknowledging our limitations, not identifying the limitations of others. God must change us to use us to bring change to the world. We are constantly inventing reasons to judge one another in the church! We have endless categories that separate us into groups of “our people” and “our enemies”. God is calling us to reflect on these categories and repent for fostering division through our judgments.

After reading the passage, ask yourself these questions:

• What are some of the ways in which you are quick to judge others?
• Who do you judge within the church? Who taught you to judge these groups?
• Have you ever felt judged because of your faith?
• Who do you need to get to know to overcome your judgments and to love them as God loves them?

Our Prayer for (Re)flection:

Lord, reveal how we have failed to be obedient to you and to love one another as the children of God. We long to be unified through your love and as the body of Christ. Renew our hearts and minds through your unending love, and give us the courage to surrender ourselves to your Spirit this day. Amen