Scriptures: Psalm 146:4-9; Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Canticle 15; Matthew 11:2-11
December 14, 2025 Reflection by Mim McConnell, Sr. Warden
While reading this week’s daily readings on generosity and hospitality, and the scriptures for today, I’ve been thinking about the tension that fills the space between opposing thoughts. How do we deal with it? Can we make it go away? Do we just give up in despair? No, I believe there is a place for the Christian in that space.
I remember in a bible study class Fr. Dave Elsensohn saying that there is always tension between good and evil in the world. This was a revelation for me. I think I was learning about “gray” areas. Life isn’t just black and white.
I think the Christian should be between those places, where these ideas meet, touching both sides, in the midst of the tension. There, we can hold the space open for coming together, where we can be a generous, welcoming host.
Let me give you an example of this tension. I’ve been studying the American Revolution these past few months by listening to books by Rich Atkinson, watching Ken Burns’s miniseries on the Revolution, and reading a special edition by The Atlantic magazine on the topic. I’ve learned things that weren’t taught in my high school American History class. It’s been a fascinating education. One of the things brought up is the fact that it was a civil war between Rebels and Loyalists. This was all about how people wanted to be governed. The Rebels, as we know, eventually won the war.
But the tension between opposing ideals of how government should operate continues until today. It will always be there, no matter how far the government, or cultural, pendulum swings to one side or the other. I remember this from being on the Assembly!
So, again, this is our opportunity to be the mediator, the place of comfort, the hospitable environment for all to come to and be free of judgment, to rest from the struggles of life. Here we can set aside our differences and meet on common ground, to look for ways to provide succor.
We don’t need to do this alone. We have the God of Jacob helping us, as is mentioned in today’s Psalm, “who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.” We are God’s hands and God will provide, through us, all that is needed. We need to only ask.