There is even a word for it -- in Greek, of course; the language of almost all things significant: allelon, or "one another", "each other". Greek simpleton that I am, I encountered the word during a sabbatical experience a couple of years ago while reading a book titled Christ in Community by Gerhard Lohfink. In the course of the book, he calls attention to all the "one anothering" passages in the Christian scriptures --
Love one another with mutual affection;outdo one another in showing honor (Rom.
Live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16)
Welcome one another (Rom.
Have the same care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
Bear with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)
Build one another up (1 Thess. 5:11)
Encourage one another (1 Thess. 4:18)
Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
Admonish one another (Rom.
Be hospitable to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
I've been trying to keep that noble notion in mind this week as I look over the tax return I picked up from the accountant. To say that we are getting no refund is a wounding understatement. To say that we "owe" hardly captures the numbing reality of it. Yes, in a word, we owe. Which is why I am working prayerfully to keep in mind the purpose of those taxes: the greater and common good -- the roads on which we travel, the trails on which we bike; the parks and monuments and landmarks we maintain; the firefighters and police and military and meat inspectors and those few precious dollars to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Arts; food stamps and medicaid and medicare and courts and college grants. And...and...and.... I may not always agree with the particular allocation, but that's the way it goes. I like to think of that ongoing debate as welfare for politicians. If we were always in agreement, we wouldn't need Senators and Representatives.
I think, then, of all these and countless other "one anothering" investments that my taxes represent as I sign the bottom of the 1040 form and take a deep breath. It ought to feel better than it does. There is about it the pungent odor of obligation -- which puts it in good company.
Which of the spiritual disciplines isn't?
Love one another with mutual affection;outdo one another in showing honor (
Live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16)
Welcome one another (
Have the same care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
Bear with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)
Build one another up (1 Thess. 5:11)
Encourage one another (1 Thess. 4:18)
Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
Admonish one another (
Be hospitable to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
I've been trying to keep that noble notion in mind this week as I look over the tax return I picked up from the accountant. To say that we are getting no refund is a wounding understatement. To say that we "owe" hardly captures the numbing reality of it. Yes, in a word, we owe. Which is why I am working prayerfully to keep in mind the purpose of those taxes: the greater and common good -- the roads on which we travel, the trails on which we bike; the parks and monuments and landmarks we maintain; the firefighters and police and military and meat inspectors and those few precious dollars to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Arts; food stamps and medicaid and medicare and courts and college grants. And...and...and.... I may not always agree with the particular allocation, but that's the way it goes. I like to think of that ongoing debate as welfare for politicians. If we were always in agreement, we wouldn't need Senators and Representatives.
I think, then, of all these and countless other "one anothering" investments that my taxes represent as I sign the bottom of the 1040 form and take a deep breath. It ought to feel better than it does. There is about it the pungent odor of obligation -- which puts it in good company.
Which of the spiritual disciplines isn't?
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