The dualistic mind

I was thinking this morning Lord,

about "them"

those people i really don't like

those people who do not believe the way I do

think the way I do

act the way I do

I struggle with those who are different Lord

I like to think I am open and generous

but then my world turns to black and white

right and wrong

good or bad,

Like it or not, I have a dualistic mind

"it compares, it competes, it conflicts, it conspires, it cancels out any contrary evidence,

and

then

it crucifies with impunity". (Rohr)

I don't think Jesus had a dualistic mind.

while I see things as I am, Jesus saw things as they are

 

That is why he didn't bother with adjectives

Conservative?  Liberal

Bad? Good?

Gay! Straight?

Meaningless

Jesus didn't see conservative or liberal people

(and yes, they were fighting that battle in Jesus' time)

he saw people.

He saw a person not a tax collector

A person, not a prostitute

A person not a robber

A person not a Roman

There is a lesson for me here Lord

even as I get angry at those I think guilty of rigid and hateful thinking

I am guilty of rigid and hateful thinking my self

help me Lord to see all I meet

all I disagree with

all whom I agree with

as simply "people

children of God

those created in the image of God

and in whom the spark of the divine 

is alive and well