Getting Along With One Another

In families, in communities, in the work place, wherever humans are gathered, there always seems to be the potential for conflict.  We have to WORK at getting along with each other.  St. Paul proposes the ideal:  "I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of he call your have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, beaing with one another though love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace."  (Eph 4:1-3).  St. James reminds us, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice." (Jas 3: 16).   Jesus addressed the jealousy and selfish ambition he noticed among the Twelve as he overheard them discussing who was the greatest among them.  He used a child as the example of how they (we) should deal with each other, with the admonition, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last, of all and the servant of all." (Mk 9: 36).  As a child needs no words, but in the warmth of nearness, can calm and soothe an agitated parent, so too first of all an awareness of the nearness of Jesus can transform Type A ambitions and lives into calmness, harmony, peace and love, and, by putting Jesus first in our lives, we can more easily put others before us, and ourselves in the servant postion.
Bro. Rene