Wednesday Wonder

Something about friends was to have been the topic for today. That was what I had planned. Someone had suggested such a topic for my inspiration. That will now be addressed more fully next week, perhaps. And yet, it also inspires today.

We have by now, all heard about the incident at the synagogue in Belleville. I would like to say such incidents and issues are not common, however, that is not entirely true, unfortunately. Here in Durham Region we have been seeing more and more incidents of hate expression in many ways. My colleagues and I have been meeting to discuss how we, as churches, as followers of Christ, and just as human beings, might behave in face of such actions and the resulting pain and grief.

Most, if not all of us reading this, would say those involved in Belleville were strangers. Perhaps, if we know anything of what has been happening here in our own area we would still say the same. Unless it directly involves us or someone we know, it tends to be seen as happening to strangers.

I have often thought that strangers are only friends I haven’t met yet. We are all God’s children so it makes us not just friends, but in fact, family. Family does not always get along, but we are supposed to treat each other with a modicum of respect.

Parts of our family are truly hurting today. What does it feel like to fear attending worship? I have never had such a feeling. Have you? How blessed we are not to have that fear as we gather.

While we may not be able to make some grand gesture or take some stand that everyone will notice, we can all do something today to be one with God’s other children. Today we are thinking especially of our Jewish siblings, but we need to continue thinking of everyone. No one should be afraid to go to worship.

In a gesture we can all make, I invite you to light a candle today and share the prayer our United Church Moderator has offered as a way to lift up strangers, friends and all God’s children who at times live in fear, not just of what might happen when they go to their place of worship, but any time someone decides they don’t agree and violence is the answer.

Dialogue and understanding are the answer. We need to use them more. We need to encourage others to do the same. We need to pray for our world that has become a place where hate always seems to trump love these days.

While putting the Moderator’s prayer on our digital signboard is not possible, we will put a candle and the phrase – Light a candle of love and hope – so that it might inspire someone who sees it.

The Moderator’s prayer is below should you wish to pray it, candle or not.

Keep an open heart and pray for all our siblings in God’s world. Our world needs it.