Divisiveness and faithfulness

In today’s first reading (1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19), a prophet foretells the division of the People of God: that 10 of the 12 tribes will separate themselves from the house of King David.

This division was a very bad thing, caused by the mistakes of Solomon and by the ambitions of others.

The People of God would survive, of course, often as a remnant, while the kingdom of the rebellious northern tribes would be swept away by history.

We should always work to avoid divisions in the first place and to heal divisions when they arise.

We should also work hard to maintain and even expand the ranks of God’s faithful people.

Above all, however, even at the risk of rebellion or numerical diminution, we must be faithful to God and His truth in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.