Either/or brains, Both/and Gospel.

A few weeks ago a perplexed and frustrated friend asked rhetorically, “Wouldn’t life be simpler if people were simply either good guys or bad guys?” I had to agree. It would.

Either/Or creates far less complexity and tension than Both/And. And our lazy brains don’t like complexity or tension.

When it comes to what salvation means, some Christians would say, “It’s about saving souls”. Others insist, “It’s about making life on earth better”. Practically speaking, it’s Either/Or.

But the readings for The Third Sunday of Advent would insist it’s not as simple as Either/Or would suggest…it’s Both/And.