Polarization, division, and finger pointing seem to be the order of the day on the national level. Unfortunately, it is taking a firmer hold at the community and familial level as well. Instead of looking for someone to blame for the cause of this situation, we need to look in the mirror and honestly assess how we are contributing to division instead of seeking to uphold the motto of the United States of America – E Pluribus Unum – Out of Many One, instead of upholding the motto of our faith – “That they may all be one” (John 17:21).

We need to take a step back, take a breath, and examine our conscience and honestly acknowledge how we are contributing to divisiveness and polarization in our own thoughts, words, and actions. Then we will be in a better position to act instead of react. We can disagree and offer different points of view, seek different approaches to solve problems, but we can do so with an openness to work together when we begin by respecting the dignity of the person we encounter.

Luke 6:36-38 records what Jesus offers as significant steps to help us turn the momentum away from disunity and polarization toward respecting the gift the diversity of our humanity and embracing unity. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Fr. James Keenan, S.J. defines mercy as the willingness to enter into the chaos of another. Instead of imposing our point of view on another, mercy is the willingness to accompany, to come to know, and make an effort to understand another. Instead of prejudging someone, mercy is a willingness to hear first and assess thoughtfully what has been said, even when the message conveyed is heated, derogatory, and inflammatory. There may be some truth in the maelstrom of what has been spewed.

Jesus also guides us to stop judging and condemning each other. We are limited by our own finite natures as it is. We are not God and are not capable of fully reading another person. In most cases we do not know another’s struggles, anxieties, fears, traumas, and experiences. When encountering one another we need to resist the knee jerk reaction, and listen first, allow someone to vent without taking offense, and without thinking how to “fix” them or the problem, then seek to hear what is being said behind the words and ask what they are needing.

Jesus also reminds us to forgive. As God forgives us we also are invited to forgive others, to let go of grudges. Not to do so means allowing the poison injected into us to spread, instead of seeking the healing antidote of forgiveness. The one who has wounded us has walked away and if we are not willing to forgive we continue to do harm to ourselves as we allow that wound to fester.

We are given a choice today, to promote disunity and polarization or to reassess, admit our participation, and choose to correct our behavior. May we follow the guidance of Jesus and seek to be merciful, willing to encounter others as they are and accompany them. May we resist the temptation to judge and condemn, but instead be willing to convict, to respectfully hold up the same mirror we held up for ourselves, help others to see how their thoughts, words, and actions have been inappropriate and divisive. May we also be willing to forgive, to heal, and to lead others to forgiveness.

It is much easier to stay in our shell or bubble, but that is only an apparent good. Staying in our bubble suffocates us, stunts our growth, and limits our potential as human beings created in the image and likeness of God. May we turn to Jesus with our shortcomings, sin, weakness, prejudices, and failures so to experience his conviction not condemnation, his acceptance of who we are as we are not judgment, his forgiveness and his mercy. Having experienced these gifts of grace we can then go forward and share them with those in our realm of influence.

Image: Painting of Divine Mercy by Robert Skemp, 1982

Link for Mass readings for Monday, February 26, 2018:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022618.cfm