In today’s reflection, Fr Dean explores what it means to live in a divisive society, and how we are called to stand in the space where friendships can begin.
Friday 10 October | 27th week of the Year | Luke 11:15-26
You can find the Bible readings for today’s reflection here
Today’s world seems so polarised, with one political party pitted against the other, issues driving people apart, and difficult and divisive debates happening in pubs and the public space.
Sometimes, Parliament is as rowdy as the pub, and pubs as ineffective as Parliament sometimes is. And some global political leaders care little about how their words can divide people and cause harm—as long as they remain popular and in the public eye.
In the gospel reading today, Jesus is accused of siding with the enemy. He is casting out demons but surely, say some, he is in cahoots with the devil. Fake news is nothing new. Rumours and conspiracy theories are present in every generation. So Jesus’ reputation is derided as the public try to cancel him. Jesus speaks to this divisive narrative. “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste,” he says.
Jo Cox, the MP murdered in 2016 said, “We have more in common than what which divides us.” As Christians it is our duty to seek the peace which Christ alone can give, and to reach out to those from we are divided. We are called to stand in that space where friendship can begin but it means abandoning the “them and us” narrative and beginning to work together so that, in time, we become a “we.”
We are called to recognise what we have in common, building trust and, together, searching for a way in which all can flourish and become the people God has created us to be. After all, a kingdom divided against itself is always laid waste.
Today’s Mass: Our Mass on Friday is at St Saviour’s Splott at 10am
South Cardiff Ministry Area 