We all have experienced the sting of another person who shares our faith letting us down, injuring us intentionally or unintentionally, rejecting, betraying, and so much more. As we have heard it said, "hurt people hurt people." But, when a Christian person hurts us, when a person or group of people from our church, those who share our faith, hurt us, it wounds us even more.

When we get hurt by a fellow believer, it is possible to struggle with our faith. We might say, "If that person is a Christian and behaved like that, I don't want to be associated with Christianity." While that is a typical reaction, it is not the only way to respond.

Today's reading is from the Lord's Supper. Jesus sat with the very people that he knew would leave him the moment his persecution started. And they did. He knew a traitor was sitting by his side, one who stood by only for self-gain, one who would sell him for a few coins. And he did. Yet Jesus gave him a chance to eat at his table, at Jesus' last meal.

Jesus gave, gave, and gave. He gave more than any of us would ever deserve. He gave himself entirely. We can learn from Jesus that while people may hurt, disappoint, and/or discourage us, we don't have to leave our faith. As the proverbial saying goes, we must not "throw the baby out with the bathwater." It is wise to set up new boundaries and take time to heal. But it is kind to ourselves to seek and find a new community of people that will help us grow in our hope and encouragement.

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