For him who is perfect in love and has reached the summit of dispassion there is no difference between his own or another's, or between Christians and unbelievers, or between slave and free, or even between male and female. But because he has risen above the tyranny of the passions and has fixed his attention on the single nature of man, he looks on all in the same way and shows the same disposition to all. For in him there is neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, bond nor free, but Christ who "is all, and in all." (Maximos the Confessor)

I have sometimes found Maximos to be too much a Greek and not sufficiently a Jew. I am sure he would find me to be entirely too tied to sensuality and passion.

The conversation has nonetheless been worthwhile. Maximos has aggravated and challenged me. His otherness has encouraged me to greater clarity regarding what I perceive and why.

We have also found common ground. The words above were written nearly 1500 years ago. To many, even to many Christians, they are still startling. These words capture the core of my personal creed.

The differences between Maximos and I, between most of us, can be very helpful. The differences remind us of the breadth and depth of God, far beyond our comprehension.

Honoring the freedom and creativity God has bequeathed to each and all, motivated by love for God and neighbor, the clash of difference can be a beautiful song.