This is my reflection from last Saturday's church newsletter.
Who Is My Neighbor?
There has been horrible news the past few days. Earlier this week, someone sent bombs to over a dozen political opponents of the current President. I suppose you could call them perceived enemies of the President. Fortunately, none of those bombs exploded or injured anyone. Unfortunately, the same is not true for the worshipers in the Pittsburgh synagogue where a man with an assault rifle attacked this morning. The house of God was invaded, while parents and children were present, all because someone believed it was good to kill Jews, in much the same way that the maker of the pipe bombs believed it was good to kill Democrats and liberals.
What have we come to?
Some may argue with me that a "good guy with a gun" would have protected the members of the synagogue, but that is beside my point. Armed protection should not have been necessary. And it would not have helped anyone who, God forbid, might have opened one of those bomb-carrying packages. My point is that political and sectarian violence used to be unacceptable. But now, this kind of violence is not always met with the swift condemnation it deserves.
The dehumanization of political opponents, and of minorities, is getting out of control. In the name of God, it must end. Nobody deserves to die because they are different. Absolutely nobody deserves to die because they have a different political opinion than one's own, no matter who that "one" may be. I am grateful that I have not seen this sort of dehumanization in local politics; I pray that it will stay that way.
Jesus clearly teaches us the way out. When asked what commandment was the greatest, his answer was simple: love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. And when he was asked "And who is my neighbor," Jesus replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan. He chose a story where the love of God was represented by a "foreigner" who was despised by Jesus' Israelite audience. The Good Samaritan did not return hatred to someone who was in desperate need, but saw through to the wounded victim's humanity.
Every other human being, no matter what we think of them, is our neighbor. I know you already know this. It just seems to me it's time to say it again... time for all of us to say it again.
As we pray for healing for the Tree of Life Congregation, and for those who were threatened by the pipe bombs (including Postal Service personnel!), may we also put actions behind our thoughts and prayers. May we set the example of loving... even those with whom we deeply disagree. May we refuse to take part in justifying violence against them.
And, of course, may we all take action as we vote!
Yours on the Journey,
Rev. Joan Saniuk
