Monks brawl at Christian holy site in Jerusalem

That's what the headline reads in the article currently posted at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27639792/

Quoting the article:

The brawling began during a procession of Armenian clergymen commemorating the 4th-century discovery of the cross believed to have been used to crucify Jesus.

The Greeks objected to the march without one of their monks present, fearing that otherwise, the procession would subvert their own claim to the Edicule — the ancient structure built on what is believed to be the tomb of Jesus — and give the Armenians a claim to the site.

The Armenians refused, and when they tried to march the Greek Orthodox monks blocked their way, sparking the brawl.

The author wrote in other portions of the article:

Turf fights common among Christian sects
Six Christian sects divide control of the ancient church. They regularly fight over turf and influence, and Israeli police are occasionally forced to intervene.
. . .
A ladder placed on a ledge over the entrance sometime in the 19th century has remained there ever since because of a dispute over who has the authority to take it down.

What a horrible and detestable way for Christians to behave! This sort of behavior destroys one's testimony. This sort of behavior is what the World sees and says, "See? Christians are hippocrites! Christianity is a sham!"

Christianity is a message of love. That message was ultimately displaced in God showing His love for mankind by sending Jesus to pay our sin debt by dying on the cross. His resurrection from death secured the right of those who trust in Him to have eternal life.

How many times do we read Jesus' own words "love one another", "be kind one to another", "by your love with they know you are My disciples", "love your enemies", "blessed are the peacemakers", and even "bless those who curse you, and do good to those who persecute you"? Jesus' own words as He hung dying on the cross were of love when He asked the Father to forgive those crucifying Him.

Paul counsels us in Romans 12, as it depends on us, to be at peace with all men. He further advises in Galatians 6 to do good to all men, especially fellow Christians. And again, in Philippians 1, he tells us to conduct our lives in a manner worth of the gospel of Christ.

Unfortuantely, this kind of infighting is not exclusive to these groups. It isn't even limited to different denominations. It even happens within a single church body. People getting too wrapped up in the worldly and ignoring or neglecting the spiritual. Soon, it is reduced to a primal mentality of greed and powermongering. The mess becomes more important than the message. See how even taking a ladder down from a ledge has become an issue among these men for over 100 years!

Clearly, these men are more concerned with things of Christ rather than the words of Christ.

Paying attention to the words of Christ:

"Store not up your treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal, but store up your treasures in heaven where neither moth and rust destroy, nor thieves break in and steal. For where you treasures are stored, there your heart is also."

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall never pass away."