I read this morning, that “there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’ in God’s economy and off my mind went to spinning.
The world is rife with such divisions, where “us” is perpetually righteous and “them” perpetually wrong – a convenient but flawed perspective. Lent, with its history of my own stumbles and renewed efforts, reminds me that true spiritual growth demands dismantling these barriers. Loving neighbors, even enemies, with courage and respect, while banishing bitterness and hate, is a Lenten discipline far harder than any fast. It’s a constant, humbling process of failing and trying again, a testament to the challenge of truly living without “them.”
It’s impossible to ignore the pervasive “us vs. them” mentality that colors so much of our world, where self-righteousness often masks deeper biases. Lent on the other hand is about extending love, courage, and respect to all, including those we perceive as “enemies,” and purging any trace of bitterness or hate. This is a formidable task, a constant cycle of striving and falling short. The struggle to genuinely see beyond “them” is, perhaps, the most demanding Lenten discipline of all.
We’uns is good I think!