Greetings,
Over the last few months we have been looking at the gospel of Luke. This gospel really speaks to the Gentiles with Jesus coming as the Saviour of all peoples, not just the chosen race of Israel. We see this in stories of the centurion (Luke 7:1-10) and the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) where the greatest faith is found in the outsiders. Coupled with this is how we
followers of Jesus are called to live, as people who work for the liberation of all.
While doing some reading the other day, I came across a story that illustrates people
working for the liberation of others. I didn’t remember the incident, but was moved by the
acts of kindness shown. What was interesting was that two groups who are often thought
to be outsiders, worked to show kindness to one another.
On Monday 29 October 2018, a gunman stormed the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania where the Jewish congregation were worshipping; 11 were killed and many
others wounded. Shortly after, a Muslim non-profit group initiated and raised one million
dollars to support the recovering Jewish community. They provided funds to cover funeral
expenses for the deceased and medical expenses for the wounded. They announced that
for them, shared humanity was more important than religious difference, and that coming
together in opposition to violence was paramount. How healing and liberating these actions must have been for everyone, and what a witness to the community.
It is funny how people can come together in times of disaster in ways that they don’t seem
to at other times. Sometimes we look at those who are different from us and think that it’s
just too difficult to build a bridge. We don’t know their culture, we don’t know what to
say, we are not sure if they will welcome us. We need to remember the angel’s words to
Mary, “for nothing will be impossible with God”, (Luke 1:37) and take courage from that.
Let us work to be a people who show kindness, work for liberation and are prepared to take the first step.
Blessings – Rev Heather.