A Musting from Pastor Jack

It is 5:15 in the morning. I wish it was 6:30. My unconscious mind awakened me thinking about a trip to Italy seven years ago. Part of the reason I woke up was because I was writing this musing yesterday and didn’t know quite how to construct it; I wanted it to be fit to share with you today. So, here’s a bit of background.

I hosted an intrepid group of travelers on a visit to Italy and was remembering that in less than two weeks we experienced several cultures, all in that country. Italy is made up of regions and has only been a unified country for a hundred and sixty some years.

But I was not thinking about Italy as much as about the diverse group of people travelling with me. I don’t know about you, but in my experience, whenever you have a group of people traveling together, you expect there will be some friction. It is the same with all folks living in proximity to one another. There is often something that happens or creates anxiety. That is certainly the case in every congregation I’ve served. On the last evening of that trip, I told the group that I was impressed that on the whole they had all behaved as adults. Having led groups to different places in the world for the last 35 years of my life, I have to say that this was often not the norm.

The norm seems to be that there is always someone along who needs babysitting or their ego soothed. I feared losing someone along the way in the massive crowds wherever we went. Not this group. This group was given choice in all we did. People chose to look out for one another. Everyone chose to do what suited their needs. There were some time-specific events, like catching trains, planes, and buses. We all negotiated that responsibly and well. At dinner on our last evening in Rome, I told “the crew” that I appreciated that each person functioned like an adult.

It is like that in life, is it not? When we work and live with people, it is possible to accomplish more when we negotiate with one another and give one another space for each other’s needs. There may have been whining or pouting, but I did not see it.

I wish that more groups of people cooperated and communicated with one another as this one did. It is not easy to do, but it can be done. It requires volitional choice. It is how we grow. We choose to change a behavior and do so. That way we can continue to grow, mature, and become adult. It is not easy given different histories, attitudes, and manner of thought.

A congregation is a larger group than travelers on a trip. However, in the congregation, we are faced with the same choices. We have the option of negotiating or not. We have the opportunity of choosing together our next steps. It is a matter of selecting steps and paths to take. I feel it instructive that people function in a healthier manner when they can make the choices for themselves. I find self-differentiation to be healthy as I do choice. Along the way on that trip, some chose to do other things separate from my choices. It was great.

A part of our group of intrepid souls decided to find the Appian Way, the old Roman road first built in the fourth century B.C. We knew we were near. We walked along a little road and came to a dead end. We as a group were faced with a choice of continuing into a park which we didn’t see a way out of, or turning around and going back as we had come. We went back. We found our bus line and a tiny restaurant/coffee bar. Following a bit of rest, a coffee and a sandwich, the group proceeded to the bus stop. Across the street from the bus stop there was the Appian Way. We were there and hadn’t realized it until we looked up and saw the sign. I quite liked that.

As Jesus is to have said to St. Peter at that spot, “Quo Vadis?” “Where are you going?” I hope in my heart of hearts that it is toward greater maturity, adulthood, and richer relationships. I believe in choice as I’m sure you do as well. My experience to date here at First Church Monson is that I believe you would have done well on that trip, too.

Ciao,
Jack