Castings: October 9, 2026

A place of connection

It’s easy to read right past Euodia and Syntyche. Two names, two leaders, two women of the church that Paul hopes will “be of the same mind”. Euodia and Syntyche were not of the same mind. They were quarreling, disagreeing about matters of the church. This is important for us. Our disagreements are not new. Since the birth of the Church, people have been arguing about the details. Paul urges us to find a place of connection, of unity. Paul directs our vision to the focal point: Jesus. To focus on Jesus is to direct our gaze on God’s vision for this world.

How will we disagree? How will we maintain community when we are not all of the same mind? To be clear: disagreement does not mean ignoring injustice or allowing oppression to keep a false peace. But it may mean learning to communicate in new ways.

Paul gives us the hope: the Lord is near. Tied to our disagreements is the reminder that God is near and dwelling among. This is best made known to us when we set our mind on these things: whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable.

Peace, unity, justice, kindness, honorability—none of it is easy; all of it is gift, given by God, for us to embody.