Now here’s a Scripture with which we can all identify, especially during the holiday season. Immediately preceding the selected passage, two women are having a quarrel of some consequence in the Philippian church. The disputants are leaders in the church, which shows us that leaders are as capable of being petty as are non-leaders.

So, listen friends. Cast aside for a moment the beautiful gospel passage of sweet virgin Mary and her older cousin Elizabeth getting along fabulously together in their time of pregnancy. Put out of your mind the magi who travel like the three amigos, palatable comrades on a common quest. The lectionary lesson for today is as much a part of our season as any we have inherited. Paul is pleading with two individuals to agree with each other in the Lord. The early ch…