I grew up next door to a proud family of University of Michigan graduates.

In fact, the University had hosted three generations of this particular family. Some were doctors, some engineers, and some were business people. And while their professions differed, their love for the maize and blue united them, especially around big game days. 

But when it was time for the youngest in that family to decide on college, he did not choose the University of Michigan, he did not choose Michigan State, he chose Ohio State University!

This was quite shocking at first, but over time, it grew into many gentle episodes of playful kidding and gentleman's wagers.

The thought that such a decision would have any long-term impact on the harmony of this family was simply unthinkable. 

There are few ties stronger than those of a loving family.

This Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, we always read that unforgettable tale of doubting Thomas.

We remember that Jesus appeared to his disciples, soon after the resurrection, and Thomas was not there. When he arrived home his fellow disciples told him that Jesus had risen. Thomas didn’t buy it - but their life as a community continued.

Back then, as is now, there’s still debate over belief in the resurrection - 

But one thing is clear from this story: that even Thomas, who denied the resurrection, was still welcome in the community.

What if Christians today were able to model this kind of generosity? to understand that all of us are on spiritual journeys that ebb and flow and twist and turn, and the judgement about what we believe and how we believe it, always came second to the valuing of the individual?

Friends, Jesus made it clear that the best way to love God, was to love God's people. And when we choose to put someone's beliefs above their personhood, why that's called idolatry, that's putting something above God.

So let us be slow to judge, but quick to love those whose opinions differ than ours. 

Few ties are stronger than those of a loving family, let's be one.