People all over the world watched closely this week as the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church entered the conclave – a process which many of us are more familiar with now that we have seen the popular movie, or read the book, or both.
It is said that one goes into the conclave a Pope, and comes out a cardinal. Whether you agree with that statement or not (or perhaps you are indifferent), it hints at a truth that applies to the Church universal: institutions are made by humans. And humans – motivated by emotion, ambition, pride, and even good intentions – will inevitably try to control what ultimately belongs to God. And yet, the church still stands: not because of man’s ambition or best intentions, but because of God’s love.
The Gospel this week is a portion of Jesus’ farewell to his disciples; the part which takes place just moments after Judas leaves to betray him. Jesus knows this will happen, and knows, too, that Peter will deny him shortly after that. He doesn’t try to stop it. He doesn’t give them a list of canon laws or rubrics to follow. He commands them to love one another. Maybe because Jesus knows that the church won’t be built on the will of men. It will be built on the love of God modelled in the life of Christians.
God comes to us knowing our brokenness and choosing us anyway. Loving us, and commanding us to love one another in return. Even with rules and best intentions, we will absolutely fail; we will get it so very wrong, from time to time… maybe even often. Rules and rubrics are important. But sometimes they are meant to be broken – especially when we make them into idols. So, the Holy Spirit will weave new paths when necessary, and each time we get redirected, we (hopefully!) learn a little more grace, a little more compassion, a little more creativity.
May that be our prayer and our goal, always. And may the world know we are Christians not by our rules, but by our love.
Mother Amanda