While wondering about the lack of a Voice in today’s chaotic culture. A Voice that would lift up the call for Freedom; for Equality; for Life and that could help to unite and inspire people to reach for the Heavens of Hope.
I am straining my ears, attentive to the slightest vibrations of air that just might signal someone stepping into the role of Messenger of Hope. I try to position myself on the highest hill where the clear, cool air may reverberate across the landscape that a Voice has finally sounded that call to take up the arms of Love and Peace that we so desperately need to hear.
Then, I wonder…
What would that message actually be?
Would it be some of the “‘same ol’ same ol’” that promises changes to policies that discriminate against certain segments of our population? Can we truly hope that political change alone will cast the demons of Racism, Classism, or Gender out like a priest who sprinkles holy water out of an airplane? Are not the issues facing us today more daunting than implying that simple bandaid solutions wrought by well-meaning and benevolent people continue to offer?
As I study and meditate on people who actually did create a persona that inspired millions to respond positively to the glaring injustices of their time, I began to see something that I alluded to yesterday that powered the engines of change of which they stood at the helm.
Both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi before him spoke of the need to follow the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
“Love your enemies and bless those that persecute you.”
How revolutionary those words were when they were first spoken!
First century Palestine was in the iron grip of Rome. Caesar and his armies imposed something called the “Pax Romana,” or the “Roman Peace. Caesar Augustus established himself as the Emperor in Rome after a bloody civil war with Marc Antony and his Egyptian ally, Cleopatra. The ensuing peace became the symbol of Roman strength and established her military as the primary tool for enforcing that peace. So, Jesus was well aware of who those following him considered the “Enemy”. It was Rome. When Jesus uttered those words in what we now call his “Sermon on the Mount” he touched a nerve within everyone who heard him. In fact, just before Jesus mentioned this about enemies, he told the people that if “anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” Every person who heard that would know that the ‘anyone’ that Jesus mentioned referred to Roman soldiers. An edict was on the books that stated any Roman soldier could require any other person to carry his pack for him up to one mile. Jesus pretty much told those listening that not only should they bear the burden of their sworn enemy the required distance, but they should shoulder it for double the distance! Holy crap! What in the world was Jesus trying to do?
The short answer was that Jesus desired that they, in fact, Love their Enemy.
Ok, ok…it was easy for Jesus to say this. But, did he actually ever do it himself?
Well, besides allowing his enemies to crucify him, yes, he did.
I mean, crucifixion was an extreme to be sure. And, Jesus did tell those who followed him that they would need to “take up their cross and follow Him.”
Plus, after Jesus’ arrest, everyone knew that crucifixion was coming. He had no choice in that matter. One could make the argument that Love wasn’t really a factor. Rome did to him whatever they wanted. Love or not.
But, did he practice what he preached while his life was still in his own hands?
I think so.
I was meditating on the passage of the Gospel according to John that recounts Jesus’ actions at what’s called “The Last Supper.” Countless writers and poets and artists have attempted to convey what Jesus did that night. The part of this story that I considered was the scene during the meal when Jesus got up, girded up his tunic, tied a towel around his waist and washed his disciples’ feet. This passage has been used ever since it was written as an illustration of Jesus’ humility. He even told them, “You call me ‘Teacher and Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
I thought long about this scene.
Who was there?
What were they all talking about around the table?
What were their thoughts?
Was this simply a ‘teachable moment’ for Jesus?
Or, was He making a statement about life itself?
I can’t speak to the last four of these questions with any certainty. No one can.
But, the first one is rather obvious.
The Twelve whom he had called to follow from day one.
So, let me set the stage for you.
Jesus washed the feet of:
1) Peter—who would in just a very few hours deny that he even knew Jesus.
2) Thomas—would not believe the testimony of the others that Jesus had been raised from the dead. He would forever be known as “Doubting Thomas.”
3) James and John—These two brothers tried to conspire with Jesus in order to have the places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom. They tried to use Jesus for their own gain.
4) Judas Iscariot—the text tells us that before Jesus began to wash his feet that “the devil had already prompted [him] to betray Jesus.
5) ALL of the disciples deserted Jesus when the Temple guards, led by Judas, appeared in the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus.
Are all of these men Jesus’ enemies?
No, hardly.
But, they are good examples of the kinds of people that we will encounter in our daily comings and goings. They are the kind of people who will assert their rights over everyone else’s. They won’t wear masks. They will aim their AR-15 at you for saying that Black Lives Matter. They will be the ones who like to say, “It’s the economy, stupid.” These are our neighbors who don military gear and pin a badge on their chest just before they use a baton on the ribs of a person who is exercising their right to assemble and protest.
And, they are the oligarchs who comprise that “One Percent” who seem to own the rest of us.
Jesus said, “Love these. Yes, they hurt people and despitefully use them. Yes, they are selfish and unloving. They are also afraid. They are also your neighbor. Oh, and never forget…God Loves Them, too.”
God Loves Them, too.
How easy it is to forget those few words.
That’s the “Why” we should consider loving our enemies.
Perhaps, tomorrow we can discuss the “How.”
