Mark Katrick faith column: In trying times, try looking for what unites rather than divides

I’m a big fan of Petula Clark. A disc jockey in Cleveland named Howie Lund used to play her music frequently. And I listened in on my Sears Stereophonic AM/FM radio and record player. I’d faithfully set my alarm clock to his morning program and absorb Lund’s words of wisdom, support and encouragement to guide and inspire me.

Through the ups and downs of my senior year in high school, Petula would sing me to school with classics like, “Don’t Give Up” and “The Other Man’s Grass is Always Greener.” Her sweet, strong singing voice and the lyrics to her songs leveled out the emotional roller coaster I was riding as graduation day drew near. One of the reasons for this is that we were living in divided times.

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Some of the divisions and disagreements we’ve been having these days, be they social, cultural, political, theological or relational, have us getting our defenses up and strapping in for an argument. Whenever I wander into this unwelcoming place, a line from one of Petula’s songs, “Don’t Sleep in the Subway,” always seems to calm me down.

“You don’t realize that it’s all compromise/ And the problems are so overrated.”

Though you and I can’t overrate or underestimate the seriousness of the issues we’re facing these days in our nation and throughout this world, we sure can make things worse by getting all worked up over them.

The disciples of Jesus found themselves in such a place in their ongoing debate about “Who would be the greatest among them?” If you look closely at artists’ renditions of the Last Supper, you’ll find that these closest (and sometimes argumentative) companions of Christ aren’t exactly “happy campers” (my translation).

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Caught up on a roller coaster of his own — Christ’s passion and death on a cross — Jesus’s response was one of restraint and self-control. His words of wisdom, support and encouragement were: “The greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:26 and 27.

This occurred after Jesus had taught them an unforgettable lesson in humility and other-centeredness by washing their feet. As a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary, I’d experienced the Brethren Church way of having communion — down on my knees with a basin and towel in hand. It was truly amazing how my overrated problems got washed away by putting on my inner Christ, and caring for a brother (whoever he was on life’s journey) as he had cared for me.

Mark Katrick is a pastor and spiritual guide.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mark Katrick faith column: Look for what unites, rather than divides