OUR GOSPEL AND HATE

 

The spillover effect of the turmoil in Israel and Gaza surfaces in Canada. We hear reports of Jews and Arabs (Canadian citizens) fearing that they could become the targets of violence and hate. We know that added police presence has been added around their places of worship and gathering places. 

 

There are a few people who may allow hate and anger to simmer and come to a boil in their lives. Such people cause much harm.

 

Hate may be manifested in very few individuals but it causes all Canadians to ask some serious questions of their own thoughts and actions.

 

The gospels of Jesus do not shy away from evil and hate. Jesus lived in the real world with all its violence and exploitation. But he was always faithful to the mission God had given him and trustful of the Spirit’s help when dealing with hate and taking advantage of another human being.

 

The clearest teaching comes from Matthew 5, 43-44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven for he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good.”

 

Christians do not have a good record on this one but be challenged how Jesus teaches us to break the violence in the world.

 

If there is evil against your tribal group be in touch with the reactions and responses with your own life. If we react by threatening or  hurting another Canadian because they belong to the ‘other’ tribe, we have become as evil as the first enemy who inflicted evil in the first place.

 

I have been so supported by my fellow Christians who work to be accepting of people who are different from themselves. They see and respect the humanness of people who have a different skin color, speak a different language, wear clothes form the old country and eat a very different diet. 

 

I have been very uplifted by the teachers in our schools who make no distinction between the children who are the new-comers and the fourth generation white people. They can be so helpful teaching these new students the English language and helping them to learn how to interact with all their fellow students.

 

I have been very uplifted by our parishioners who have worked hard bringing and settling refugees into Canada. Often, we do not know nor appreciate the difficulties and frustrations they have experienced with the immigration system. There are so many hoops to jump through. And then when these refuges arrive, they have proved to be very helpful in getting them settled, but most of all, they become good friends with these newcomers.

 

But when the Gospel of Jesus is lived out through the lives of my fellow believers I appreciate how challenging Jesus actually is and how  beautiful are the fruits of justice and love as lived out in the lives of my fellow believers.