Monthly Message | July

Grace and peace to you!

What unites us? That is a question I have been thinking of lately. In June, the Allegheny Synod, of which St. Mark is a member of, held its annual assembly under the theme “Christ Unites Us.” Then, this month, of course, we celebrate the birthday of the United States and America’s independence on July 4. But these days, what unites Americans?

Being united doesn’t mean each of us has to agree on everything — far from it. Disagreements are good to have, if they are done in a manner of respect for one another. Disagreements can help us understand each other better, even when we still end up coming to a conclusion that we don’t agree on something. If we can at least place ourselves in someone’s else shoes just for a little, that is a good thing.

Still the question is What unites us? There has to be something that brings us together as one. When it comes to being an American in 2023, sad to say, I am not sure what unites us. I think it is freedom, but I know the concept of “freedom” means different things to different parties and groups, which is why we see the deep political divisions we have today.

When it comes to our faith, just saying, “Jesus Christ,” isn’t it. In our gospel reading from Matthew on the last Sunday in June (Matthew 10:24–39), Jesus even says that He didn’t come to bring peace, “but a sword.” And we know how the name of “Jesus” has been used throughout history, and even today, in ways that doesn’t bring unity.

Still, Christ does unite us. Christ unites us on the cross and in the empty tomb. We look to the cross and see God’s love poured out for you, for me, and for the world — to save the world, to redeem the world. We look to the empty tomb to see and know that sin and death no longer define us or have a lasting hold on us. It is Christ that has saved us and frees us from sin and death. It is in Christ where we have life — we have life with God now and beyond.

It is in Christ where we can come together and know that we are all sinners (that is something we have in common!), and that we are saved simply by the grace and love of God shown in Jesus (that is something else we have in common!).

Jesus is the Alpha — where we can begin to see our commonality — and the Omega — where we know our end is not death but life with God. In between, things can be messy because we are humans, and we sin. But God still loves us, still loves you! That unites us, that creates a lasting bond.

Author Eric Metaxes writes in one of his books that “Everything in creation points to everything else in creation.” God created us in God’s image! Again, that unites us.

May we celebrate and hold onto what brings us together. What unites us. Christ unites us!

Pastor David