I saw several reminders online yesterday to “Never Forget” and I wondered about the intent behind them. Never forget that we were attacked? Never forget that some cultures and nations see us as an enemy? Never forget that we aren’t ever really safe? Never forget that 9/11 launched us into another war? Never forget that we came together as a nation to mourn and rebuild?
We don’t need reminders to never forget. War in other nations, contention in our own, and signs in our neighborhoods to “Make America Kind” or “Take America Back” witness to the fear, divisions, and distrust among the human family. Jesus, who was an enemy of the empire, said to His followers. “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.”
This work, to “love our enemies… to respond [to them] with the supple moves of prayer” is work that needs to be done in community, and with accountability, or we end up with only the fluff of good intentions. Last Sunday we were each invited to write our name on a post-it and give it to someone to pray for us. Maybe one of the prayers we offer for each other is to never forget that we are the hands and feet and face of Christ in the world… and that we are each of us God’s Beloved.
In faith,
Marylee