Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25
The frigid breath of winter howls through the valley. Nothing can survive unsheltered and unprotected from the elements. It is February, 1692, in the valley near the Coe River, in what is called Glencoe. The Clan MacDonald, with food stores and furry blankets, hunker down for the winter. Amidst the silence of snow, soldiers from the Duke of Argyll’s regiment call out for shelter. Led by members of the Clan Campbell, the regiment carries orders for “free quarter.” The MacDonalds, specifically the Maclan MacDonalds, have no choice but to open their homes to them. For twelve days, they feed the soldiers, unaware a villainous plot is afoot.
In order to control the independent clans of the Scottish Highlands, King William III of England, Scotland, and Ireland (aka William of Orange) requires each clan chieftain to pledge allegiance to him. Because the “request” is received late and due to the lengthy time it takes to travel in winter to the king’s palace, several chieftains arrive past the appointed time. Angered, the king singles the MacDonald clan out to set an example for the other clans.
At 5am, on February 13, the order from King William III is given to kill anyone under the age of 70. In less than two hours, the soldiers, led by Robert Campbell, slaughter their hosts. Over 30 men, women, and children are brutally murdered. Those that escape succumb to the freezing elements and die in their tracks. This fateful day is known in Scottish history as the Massacre of Glencoe. No one is ever held accountable for the killings.
Hospitality was torn apart by swords that day. The tension between hostility and hospitality, between clans and tribes, neighbors and neighborhoods peaked and continued for generations. Feuds fuel violence and sow seeds of hatred that grow into fields of war. Where did all this discord start?
This complicated history of feuding between the MacDonalds and the Campbells has its roots in both politics and religion. While the MacDonalds were mainly Catholic, the Campbells were mostly Protestant. Regarding politics, the MacDonalds supported the nationalist movement to put their own king on the throne of Scotland whereas the Campbells were proponents of uniting the countries of England, Scotland, and Ireland under one English king.
I find it sad that politics and religion got in the way of community and that hospitality was used for harm. What if the king had given a grace period to appear before him and not been so caught up in the abuse of power? What if there had been tolerance between clans and even forgiveness for previous grievances between families or empathy to see another’s point of view?
Are we much different today? While we may not brandish swords, many wield guns that make it all too easy to fatally stop an opponent with whom you disagree. Even if we do not mortally wound our adversary, we defame and name-call in the public square of Twitter and other social media.
Political leaders who vie for allegiance and more power often spread disinformation to further their cause. Unlike the king and others long ago in Glencoe who escaped accountability, those who sow seeds of division should be, and in some cases, are being held liable.
The divisiveness in this country tears apart friendships, families, neighborhoods, and the very fabric of our nation. When we stand together to fight the common enemies of climate change, social injustice, poverty, and oppression, just to name a few, we can overcome. Together. A house divided cannot stand.
God, forgive me when I hold animosity in my heart for those whose viewpoints are different from mine. Your call to love my enemies overrides my pettiness. Open my mind to tolerance and my heart to empathy. Give me the wisdom and strength to work toward unity and community. Heal the fractures in our nation and world as we seek to understand and support one another, yes, even those we consider our enemies. Amen.
The frigid breath of winter howls through the valley. Nothing can survive unsheltered and unprotected from the elements. It is February, 1692, in the valley near the Coe River, in what is called Glencoe. The Clan MacDonald, with food stores and furry blankets, hunker down for the winter. Amidst the silence of snow, soldiers from the Duke of Argyll’s regiment call out for shelter. Led by members of the Clan Campbell, the regiment carries orders for “free quarter.” The MacDonalds, specifically the Maclan MacDonalds, have no choice but to open their homes to them. For twelve days, they feed the soldiers, unaware a villainous plot is afoot.
In order to control the independent clans of the Scottish Highlands, King William III of England, Scotland, and Ireland (aka William of Orange) requires each clan chieftain to pledge allegiance to him. Because the “request” is received late and due to the lengthy time it takes to travel in winter to the king’s palace, several chieftains arrive past the appointed time. Angered, the king singles the MacDonald clan out to set an example for the other clans.
At 5am, on February 13, the order from King William III is given to kill anyone under the age of 70. In less than two hours, the soldiers, led by Robert Campbell, slaughter their hosts. Over 30 men, women, and children are brutally murdered. Those that escape succumb to the freezing elements and die in their tracks. This fateful day is known in Scottish history as the Massacre of Glencoe. No one is ever held accountable for the killings.
Hospitality was torn apart by swords that day. The tension between hostility and hospitality, between clans and tribes, neighbors and neighborhoods peaked and continued for generations. Feuds fuel violence and sow seeds of hatred that grow into fields of war. Where did all this discord start?
This complicated history of feuding between the MacDonalds and the Campbells has its roots in both politics and religion. While the MacDonalds were mainly Catholic, the Campbells were mostly Protestant. Regarding politics, the MacDonalds supported the nationalist movement to put their own king on the throne of Scotland whereas the Campbells were proponents of uniting the countries of England, Scotland, and Ireland under one English king.
I find it sad that politics and religion got in the way of community and that hospitality was used for harm. What if the king had given a grace period to appear before him and not been so caught up in the abuse of power? What if there had been tolerance between clans and even forgiveness for previous grievances between families or empathy to see another’s point of view?
Are we much different today? While we may not brandish swords, many wield guns that make it all too easy to fatally stop an opponent with whom you disagree. Even if we do not mortally wound our adversary, we defame and name-call in the public square of Twitter and other social media.
Political leaders who vie for allegiance and more power often spread disinformation to further their cause. Unlike the king and others long ago in Glencoe who escaped accountability, those who sow seeds of division should be, and in some cases, are being held liable.
The divisiveness in this country tears apart friendships, families, neighborhoods, and the very fabric of our nation. When we stand together to fight the common enemies of climate change, social injustice, poverty, and oppression, just to name a few, we can overcome. Together. A house divided cannot stand.
God, forgive me when I hold animosity in my heart for those whose viewpoints are different from mine. Your call to love my enemies overrides my pettiness. Open my mind to tolerance and my heart to empathy. Give me the wisdom and strength to work toward unity and community. Heal the fractures in our nation and world as we seek to understand and support one another, yes, even those we consider our enemies. Amen.
Text and photographs copyright © 2023 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Three Sisters peaks (with lupines in the foreground) in Glencoe, Scotland. Additional photos of a replica built to resemble the turf houses of the MacDonald clan in Glencoe in the 17th century.
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
RSS Feed