“A Division Occurred” and Still Does

John 7:40-53

It’s sometimes hard for those of us who are Christian to fully grasp how divisive a figure Jesus was.  He confounded expectations and challenged prejudices.  He inflamed some hearts with hope and others with rage.

Even a brief survey of history, however, reveals that divisions over Jesus, his mission and message, have never really disappeared among his followers or his detractors.  On the one hand, those divisions have been the occasion of scandal and sin:  invective and assault, inquisition and war, and all kinds of abuses in the name of God. On the other hand, those divisions have also been the flame, hammer and anvil through which theology, doctrine, discernment, reform, compromise and yes, even some unity have been forged.

Because they touch us at the core of our being, matters of faith will always underscore our humanity and sometimes even our sinfulness.  They should also call forth a deeper humility, along with the other virtues. –jc