God Uses Divisions

Monday, October 6, 2008 -- Week of Proper 22
William Tyndale, Priest, 1536

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 987)
Psalms 106:1-18 (morning) 106:19-48 (evening)
Hosea 14:1-9
Acts 22:30 - 23:11
Luke 7:1-17

In our story from Paul's adventures in Acts, we see him benefiting from the bitter party rivalries between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Paul is presented to the council for judgment. When he frames his case in terms of his belief in the resurrection, he finds instant support from the Pharisees. He has hit one of their hot-button issues. He must be a "good guy." They rise to his defense.

God uses the partisanship and division of the Jewish parties of Sadducees and Pharisees to help Paul escape judgment. I find that hopeful.

I've been distressed by the level of partisanship and party enmity that has been characteristic of our Congress for some time. When I was growing up, it was not unusual for representatives and senators to create bipartisan coalitions that crossed party lines, depending on the issue or the bill. I've heard it said that there was cordiality and even friendship among the Democratic and Republican leaders in those days largely because so many of them were veterans of World War II. They had fought together against a common enemy, and their earlier bonds of affection were strong enough to relativize their party divisions.

For more than a decade, it seems that the party spirit of our leadership has been sharp and contentious. It has been harder to create bipartisan legislation and coalitions. Today's story of Paul's escape from the threat of the Jerusalem council is encouraging. God can use partisanship and division for God's purposes. May God direct our leaders, even in their division, so that goodness may prevail and evil be thwarted.

Lowell