no more gopher holes

May 30, 2025,

Good afternoon,

” I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntchye to be of the same mind…

Philippines 4:2

We do not know anything about the two women mentioned above. There is nothing about them in the book of Acts about when Paul and Barnabas visit there in Philippi. But, Paul has heard that they have a problem with each other. We do not know the issue that seems to be bringing them into conflict. Is it about the nature of Jesus, or the organizing of the community of believers or about food, kosher or not ? We do not know. In today’s world, you should not write about this conflict between two people in public. The letter was meant to be read in public. This would be shameful and embarrassing today. Back then, the first century after the birth of Jesus, I do not know. Maybe this was how things were done.
Now you shame people on the internet. No face or responsibility. On the site, Threads, there is mostly slander and hateful speech. One person says something about a news item, and hundreds of thousands state their opinions. Many are Artificial Intelligence responses. No person in reality. But , here there is no plan for reconciliation or peace. It is all about letting your anger fly off into the abyss of social media. I read only about three responses and then I refused to go down the gopher hole. But it is so depressing .

What is this negative polarizing attitude and speech doing to our collective soul ? Or has this been the norm all along, and social media is highlighting it for all the world to see ? What can we do as the church or individuals ? I hope Euodia and Scyntchye resolved their problem. Glory be to God. May the reconciling words of Jesus always be our guide to relationships. 

May no more children be slaughtered in Gaza. AMEN . 

Fred

black and white shadows

crush humanity’s freedom

am I complicit ? MPL 2025