Hard Heads, Soft Hearts

JRB’s most recent post on Pax Fellaship reminds me of a sad local story about religious division and accusations of racism. Buried deep in the story is a hint that political differences may be part of the mix as well. Apparently one of the issues involved was access to the Panorama Room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Anacostia, a room with an impressive hilltop view of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia:

People who used to have keys and unfettered access now must seek permission to use the room, and only for church purposes. Events sponsored by partisan groups were banned, and [Rev. Donald] Fest, in concert with archdiocese policy, required all groups to acquire their own liability insurance before renting the room.

It seems like a reasonable policy to me, but the article makes everyone involved on both sides sound petty and self-righteous. Sure, self-righteousness is ugly, but so is non-judgementalism. We need to remember the admonition to have hard heads and soft hearts — to be rigid in principle and flexible in application.

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One Response to “Hard Heads, Soft Hearts”

  1. JRB Says:

    Ex -

    I appreciate your comments here at our site. My post is a communal admonition, not an accusation. You converse well over here. The use of God’s names or invoking His Word is not the problem, ever, because we must. Our conversations must be seasoned with grace and scripture and truth. Mine is a reminder to measure our own hearts as we write to discern our motives and intent. Good work.

    Peace, brother.

    JRB

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