In recent days, we have heard many stories about rancor and unruliness at "town hall" meetings that have been held by members of Congress on the subject of health insurance reform. In some cases, the basis of the shouting was in an actual experience with a system that didn't work; in other cases, there were misunderstandings of facts. For sure, there is a good deal to get emotional about -- health care and health insurance are very costly, and one's quality of life is at stake if one must live with a debilitating or chronic illness.
Nonetheless, we are reminded in St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians (4:15) that we are to speak the truth in love in order to build a unity in our society and within the Body of Christ. As a Church and as a society, we won't get very far if we are not unified in our understanding of one another or are not committed to seeing the other person with whom we disagree as a beloved child of God just like us. In short, justice cannot succeed in an environment where civil discourse, born of a concern for the common good, does not prevail.
We will always agree on some things and disagree on others, but in everything, we should approach one another in charity and civility.
Copyright © 2009, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.
