Lead On

​Well. That’s over! The tension, the promises, the critique, the tactics prominent in the news and virtually everywhere for the past few months are behind us, at least temporarily. Some are breathing a sigh of relief, while others are already planning the strategic moves for the next time, which will come, before we know it. I wish it were mandatory now for the leaders of all the political parties to go away together, maybe on a wilderness retreat, without the media, and without the strategists. I wish they would have to figure out how to work together and how to fall in love with our beautiful country, to be overcome with gratitude for the depth and beauty of nature. It’s a naïve wish, but if they had to work together and listen to each other and rely on each other even for just one week, I think we would all be better off. Rather than focussing on what your team is doing right and what the other team is doing wrong, listening to leadership on all sides could only make us stronger.
 
But it is so natural for us to separate, ourselves from the “other” race, religion, economic group, political party, sports fan. We love to see our side win. We love to say, thank goodness I don’t think like that guy, or play by those rules. Yet, as soon as we set ourselves apart, we are losing. Its what the gospel tells us from the reading many will hear this Sunday. The story from Luke 18 is about a Pharisee and a tax collector who go to pray. Pharisees are responsible to hold up the law of Moses. They make following that long list of rules a spiritual practice. God is an ever present reality for them, and everyone knows that for them, the law is probably the most important thing. Opposite is a tax collector, whose role is to collect from the people, the tax to be paid to the Romans. He makes his living by charging a little more (for his salary) and making sure the people pay. He is certainly not the most popular guy in the room and he knows it. He approaches the Holy in a state of humble penitent prayer, while the Pharisee looks on. His “prayer” is a thank God I’m not like him kind of litany. He holds up all the things he’s done well, while looking down on the “other.” “Us and them” divisions come easily. Most of us prefer the easy route of our own position rather than being challenged. I wonder what conversation would take place were the Pharisee and the tax collector to leave the place of prayer together, go for dinner and a walk, and have a real heart to heart chat about the struggles of life. I wonder if they would begin to see the point of view of the other. Might they both leave that conversation feeling like they’d been heard and understood and now understand the other a little better as well.
 
Of course, the point is that each of them depends on the grace of God ad though their lived experience is different, the need to be loved and valued and known is similar. Circumstances differ, but like the hymn says, deep in their hearts is a common story, a common longing, a common theme. As the month of October draws to a close, platforms fade away, and humility will take a greater role. We’ve been waiting for this. May those who have been chosen, serve well, remembering the humility of the campaign trail. Serve with integrity and love for this great country.  It works well for leaders in all places and for a faith for today!
 
Rev Donna Tourneur serves the people of New Glasgow through Trinity United Church.