I’d like to talk about separatism. Separatism is the way of it some would say. It is everywhere. For example, Coke vs. Pepsi—you know you have a preference! Coke drinkers say their soft drink is the best. Those that drink Pepsi would tell you, they are wrong. Pepsi has the better flavor. Separatism plays out in politics too. The Reds, the Blues, the Greens, the Whites, the Us and Thems. Each holding strong to its own separate opinion of why they are the better choice. But times are changing…
As a teacher, I work with children (ages 12-18) that see the separatism and want nothing to do with it. The particular children that I teach are homeless, couch-surfers (meaning they sleep at different locations—often on people’s couches each day or each week), they are in group homes, foster care, or living in shelters. Some of these children are undocumented minors, Autistic, were forced into sexual trafficking, are HIV positive. All of these children have different stories, different backgrounds, different cultures, but they do have one thing in common. They were rejected by society—seen by the majority of adults as the outcasts; the ones that were rejected and sometimes beaten by their parents; then the child turns to society for help and comfort, only to get chased away because they don’t have a birth certificate for this country, or they have a disease, or they are gay. They spend their childhood—seen as separate by everyone else, their peers, their government, even their religion.
Christians, we call ourselves that because we are the followers of the Christ. If we examine the man that we know as Jesus, if we examine the Christ with the historical and biblical knowledge that we process, we can see that Jesus ministered to the outcasts of his society. He touched them, He broke bread with them, He called forth the little children to him—admonishing those that would keep the youth from feeling his loving embrace. Jesus was not about separatism, not about politics, not concerned about what others may think of him if he were to show kindness and compassion to an unclean human being. Jesus was about Love. Jesus spoke about the unconditional Love of the Creator. God as a loving God, full of Grace, compassion, and Mercy. Jesus was a Unifying Force. Not once, not ever—up until that very moment when He took his final breath—did He ever build a wall. As a Christian, that is the Christ I must follow.
I’d like to tell you a story, a parable, a metaphor if you will…
Imagine for a moment a grand room; with 4, 5, maybe 6 pillars all in a circle. On top of these pillars is a great weight that each of them has a part in holding up. Metaphorically, imagine that each of these pillars is a major religion of the world. What if these pillars started acting as the religions had in the past, out of the belief in separatism? What if those pillars started to argue with one another about which one is the best? Who is the cleanest? Whose God is the ultimate God? Soon the pillars hated one another. Trying to knock the other ones down, wanting to kill other pillars in the name of their own God. This is separatism. This is all that the pillars knew.
Now imagine for a moment something different. Imagine if those pillars, all the different religions of the World, stood tall holding up the weight in their own unique way. Knowing that there is room on this planet for each of them. One pillar could look across the circle and see another pillar with respect and acknowledge that other pillar’s unique perspective and purpose. Knowing that some humans may want to choose that particular pillar, and other humans may choose another. Not unlike someone choosing their favorite soft drink. Never judging free choice, nor letting the choice of others diminish themselves or what they believe in. Imagine, the end of separatism. The youth of this planet imagine it. Imagine Unity. So what is the weight that all the pillars are holding? What if I told you it was World Peace?
And to this we pray…
Oh gracious and glorious God. Creator of the heavens, the earth and all it’s beautiful creatures, including every human being. You are the God of Love. You are the God that gave us the example of Christ—who showed compassion to all—even the outcasts, the orphans, the widows, the tax-collectors, the rich and the poor. Remind us that we are not separate from you, Lord. Remind us that we are not separate from one another.
Oh Loving Father, bestow your Grace and compassion on all of your children. Help us strengthen and serve our communities, empower the poor, nourish the hungry, love the homeless, comfort the distraught, and help us to always follow Jesus Christ and his ministry of Unity.
All of this is prayed in the one name of the Creator, the Created, and the sustainer. Amen.