No one likes confrontation. I don't like confrontation as it can be a most uncomfortable place to be. As an Australian, I am known here as a straight talker, but that does not mean I like conflict. I don't. I so avoid conflict, while, at the same time, I will not avoid what is necessary, as I know and appreciate that confrontation can be a natural and needed part of life, leading to new and needed change or agreement. Be assured that this entry is about being positive.
For the sake of clarity, I ask - What is confrontation? One definition says confrontation is "a hostile or argumentative meeting or situation between opposing parties". It names confrontation as an element of conflict. So let me keep my focus on confrontation.
The context for my immediate interest in confrontation is Luke's Gospel which is full of 'hard sayings'. These sayings tell us to sell everything, to leave father and mother and all behind, even hate them. What is going on? It has struck me for the first time that the gospel is confrontational, for it confronts us with harsh realities, realities that we would usually brush over. That may be our reaction, but the gospel challenges remain and we keep reading them over and over. The gospel does not let us get away from its harsh demands. As followers of the gospel, it makes us feel uncomfortable and much more.
The gospel confronts us for the sake of the other, the poor, the needy, the blind, the lame, all those excluded by society. This is hard stuff. This is revolutionary stuff. Pope Francis names it as we are called to the revolution of tenderness, the revolution of the gospel. This is our long standing call and challenge. We are continually confronted by the gospel for the sake of our own self and a world that so need to be confronted by a gosple message based on love for all - self, neighbour and creation.
Gospel confrontation is good and healthy, not to be avoided, for it is part of the recipe for our building the Kingdom of God here and now.
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