Christian Camaraderie

Learning to cherish different denominations

Matthew 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation?  It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’  The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’  But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

          One of the most charming things about living in the South, but also one of the most challenging things, is the diversity of Christian denominations. Even though we are brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not immune from sibling rivalry. Let me illustrate this. A man arrived at the gates of Heaven. St. Peter asked, “Religion?” The man said, “Methodist.” St. Peter looked down his list and said, “Go to Room 24, but be very quiet as you pass Room 8.” Another man arrived at the gates of Heaven. St. Peter asked, “Religion?” “Catholic,” came the answer. “Go to Room 18, but be very quiet as you pass Room 8.” A third man arrived at the gates. “Religion?” asked St. Peter. The man said, “Jewish.” “Go to Room 11, but be very quiet as you pass Room 8.” The man said, “I can understand there being different rooms for different religions, but why must I be quiet when I pass Room 8?” St. Peter explained, “Well, the Baptists are in Room 8, and they think they are the only ones here.” When I was younger I used to be scared and suspicious of other Christians; as I get older I learn more and more from them. You see, for me sibling rivalry has turned into sibling respect; competition has matured into camaraderie.

          In the gospel today we see two men who seem to represent two denominations, and seem to be competing with each other, at least in the eyes of the on-lookers. They are John and Jesus. John’s message sounds very Protestant: repent of your sins and no drinking. After all, why else would John be called “the Baptist”? Jesus, on the other hand, loves to go to parties and drink, a clearly Catholic way of life! The real mistake, of course, is to imagine that these two attitudes are opposed to each other, instead of a harmonious and holistic way of life. In other words, a truly Christian life integrates seasons of sacrifice and self-denial together with times of celebration and thanksgiving. Sibling rivalry must evolve into sibling respect; competition into camaraderie.

          You know, we have different seasons in the Church calendar year, like Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. I would suggest to you that some of those seasons have more of a “Baptist spirit,” like Advent and Lent. Why? Well, because these seasons emphasize repentance of sins and sacrifice. Other seasons, however, sound more “Catholic,” like Christmas and Easter because of their celebratory spirit. But the point is that the truly mature Christian sees what’s good in everything, what is the best in all worlds, and integrates them into his or her own discipleship. The main mistake we make is when we think, “We’re the only ones here.”

          Praised be Jesus Christ!