More than two years later...I'm back!

I don’t know if it's the current presidential race that’s causing me to think about the amazing disparity that surrounds us, or if it’s more related to the pope's US visit…..but I guess the why doesn’t matter too much.

Here’s a partial list floating around in my head:

Planned Parenthood is evil and sells dead baby parts

vs.

Planned Parenthood helps countless people with everything from flu shots to diabetes screening

Pope Francis is a refreshing voice of compassion that the Catholic Church really needed

vs.

Pope Francis is the Anti-Christ who doesn’t speak for the Catholic Church or Jesus Christ

People are being shot, but “gun control” isn’t the problem – I have a 2^nd Amendment right to own a gun and use it to defend myself and my family 

vs.

we need to find a way to make it more difficult for unstable people and criminals to get their hands on a gun

My marriage is now legally recognized everywhere in the US

vs.

just because SCOTUS passed that law doesn’t mean I have to approve of or even acknowledge your “marriage”

Donald Trump is an idiot

vs.

I can’t wait to vote for Trump!

President Obama is a foreign-born Muslim who infiltrated our political system

vs.

President Obama is the greatest president we’ve ever had, and I can’t believe he’s already reached his term limit

Pope Francis’ speech to Congress was heartfelt and brought people to tears

vs.

Pope Francis, as the leader of the Catholic Church, didn’t even mention Christ in his address to Congress – he’s more concerned with global warming than he is with getting souls to heaven – I miss Pope Benedict

See what I mean? It’s like we’re at odds with each other over everything! And that brings me back to Pope Francis…..

There’s been a lot of chatter about his mention of atheists who are good people doing good things. I’ve read things like “why in the hell is he telling atheists that doing good things is enough to get to heaven?”

Maybe folks need to revisit the idea of reading comprehension. Because while I won’t pretend to speak for the pope, I will share my own interpretation…..

I think he was saying something like “look – it’s pretty damn clear that we believe differently about a lot of things….but we need to find a way to communicate with each other…..so instead of focusing on the countless ways in which we are different, let’s find some common ground – and then that’s where we can meet – that’s where we can start to communicate – that’s where we can look at each other and see positive things instead of pointing out everything that’s wrong with each other. So here it is – we’re good people, and you’re good people – we do kind things for others, and you do kind things for others. That’s our common ground. Let’s meet there. Let’s focus on those things we have in common, even if those things seem small and insignificant…..because I assure you – they are neither small nor insignificant.”

I fully appreciate the passion that dwells inside us....but that same passion can turn us into ugly creatures. And I don't think that's what's supposed to happen.

Just think of the changes we’d see in the world – at our places of work – in our families – within the Christian church – between various world religions - in old and broken friendships, if we simply choose to start focusing on the things we have in common instead of concentrating on the shit that separates us?

What would that world look like?

And yes - it's good to be back.