The news out of Christchurch New Zealand last week was heartbreaking. Anytime an act of terror like that takes place, it shakes us to our core. It can happen anywhere, after all. When I mentioned the shooting in this weekend’s sermon, it was a quick reference, as I made the point that the protection of the “Mother Hen” in Luke’s Gospel does not mean we will be free from suffering and loss. Jesus actually warns us of the opposite.
The first time and maybe the second time I preached it, I added a caveat, explaining why I was linking the shooting of Muslims in New Zealand to the protection of Jesus Christ. I did that because I know that there are persons (in and outside of this parish) who think all Muslims are evil; that they are the enemy of the United States and the enemy of Christianity. Such a mindset is not unlike that of the gunman in Christchurch, and it’s not helpful. It’s also not true.
My caveat was to remind us all that if it catches us off guard to hear Muslims connected to the loving care of Jesus, then we haven’t paid attention to the Gospels and what they tell us about Jesus. The Samaritans are not a direct parallel to Muslims, but there are shared characteristics that allow us to imagine how Jesus would want us to treat them. Incidentally, there are still Samaritans in the world; a little less than 1000 of them. Some are integrated into Arab-speaking Palestinian life and others into Israeli life. They often bridge a gap between Jews and Muslims in the middle east, although they belong to neither.
In the Gospels, there are many examples of Jesus showing concern and love for Samaritans. From the parable of the Good Samaritan, to the woman at the well, to the healing of Samaritans, and rebuking the disciples for wanting to destroy a Samaritan town, Jesus shows care and tolerance. While it is clear he sees the Samaritans as a different people with a different faith, he also invites people to see them as fully human and worthy of God’s care and favor. That was no small thing in the first century. Samaritan was equivalent to a curse word, no doubt because of events like a Samaritan massacre of Jewish pilgrims not long before Jesus’ day.
Muslims do not wish us all ill, nor do all Muslims seek to overthrow or harm Western civilization. Admittedly, there are extremists and terrorists, but the same is true of adherents to our own religion. It is unfortunate and unfair when all Christians are labeled by virtue of the extremists in their ranks, and the same is true with other religions. Those of us who seek peace and reconciliation with others and those who work to support the weak and the powerless are called upon by our Lord’s example to build relationships and foster understanding between all peoples.
To that end, I am planning to go to Temple Beth Tefilloh in Brunswick on Friday, at 7:30 pm, for their regular Sabbath service. A guest speaker from the local Muslim community will offer some remarks in light of the Christchurch shooting. Our local Muslim community does not have a place of worship, so there is no other way to show our support and solidarity with a community that is experiencing grief and vulnerability right now. I think Jesus would want us to do all we can to make sure they feel loved and supported. I invite you to join me if you’re able. At the very least, I hope our prayers are still ascending for all victims of violence and hatred and for God’s grace to heal the hearts of those who only know hatred for others.
Tom+
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.