It seems to me that a lot of people are very conflicted in their living. I believe that many people truly want to let the commandments spoken by Jesus as recorded in Matthew 22:37-40 be the guiding standard for their living. It appears to be so simple and straightforward: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind – and – love your neighbor as yourself.

I have known a great number of people who would willingly and happily live by these guiding principles – IF – and this is a huge IF – IF they were able to genuinely love self – without fear of the unknown, the future, or the past. Further, I acknowledge that this is not just a present day issue – in some form it has been part of our human experience since the days following the beginning of creation.

Today – for reasons that I am not sure – I felt compelled to re-visit the website that offers the church-wide letter written by leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) around the time of the passing of “Amendment 10-A.” That letter, dated May 10, 2011, may be found at http://www.pcusa.org/news/2011/5/10/churchwide-letter-concerning-amendment-10-/. The primary content of the site is followed by the posting of a large number of comments. As might be expected the comments offer a very wide range of responses. I took the time to read many of them today. I really did not expect to find anything that I had not already heard or read – and, in fact, that was the case. The statements ranged from overwhelming joy, relief, and gratitude to overwhelming fear, disappointment, and condemnation.

Then I read again the text of the letter – and – was particularly struck by the following:

However, as Presbyterians, we believe that the only way we will find God’s will for the church is by seeking it together – worshiping, praying, thinking, and serving alongside one another. We are neighbors and colleagues, friends and family. Most importantly, we are all children of God, saved and taught by Jesus Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit.

It is Jesus Christ who calls individuals to ordained ministries, and all those who are called to ordained office continue to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all and Head of the church. It is this same Jesus Christ who is the foundation of our faith and to whom we cling.

I am deeply saddened that some have chosen to no longer be part of our denomination. I have listened as many of them have cited that their actions are a result of a “crisis of conscience.” With deep respect I respond that this entire situation has also resulted in a “crisis of conscience” for me as well. I have struggled a great deal with the idea that some – including a significant number of colleagues and dear friends – believe that the only remedy is division and separation. I also have deep regrets that my relationship with a number of these people has either become very distant or no longer existent.

So it seems to me that what I must do is continue to pray that God’s will be done on earth – this very day and every day – as it is, always has been and always will be in heaven – and – that I practice in all things that I do and say hospitality that is welcoming, inclusive, and loving. It seems to me that is the intention of the words of Jesus in Matthew 22.

So let us live in love!!