Eastertide
April 10, 2018
Scripture Reading: Acts 3:12-19
‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, –Acts 3:17-19
There is book smart including Bible smart, life experience smart, street smart, gender-specific smart, minority smart and on and on. While we may possess great knowledge in one or two of these areas and those unnamed, few are expert in all. Several years ago, a candidate for Governor filmed a beautiful scene where he and his wife walk hand in hand gazing off toward the horizon across a pasture full of cattle with a message of hope. One farmer’s instant response was to say he would never vote for anyone who did not have sense enough to watch where he put his feet in a pasture full of cattle. Cattle are indiscriminate about where they leave usually large piles of manure.
How much of our attitudes and actions are based on ignorance? Do we assume that our understanding of the world is everyone else’s understanding of the world? How do we make amends for the times our ignorance has hurt another or caused dysfunction in a group? How can we be one in Christ when we see the world so differently?
Families of color teach their children how not to attract police attention and if they do, how they are to respond. I grew up in a remote rural area. While I was taught to be respectful of my elders, I do not remember any special instructions about my behavior around law enforcement. I was taught that when I spoke to someone I needed to look them directly in the eye as part of my being polite instructions. Not so with people of color.
There has recently been much to do about correct behavior during the singing of the National Anthem. Our National Anthem is a tribute to those who died for our freedom, freedoms that some still do not experience to this day. Its singing should be a time of soul searching for ways of carrying forward the ideals of our beginnings. I rarely attend sporting events, but we sing it routinely at the start of the Philharmonic program. One evening I noticed a couple visiting from another country sitting just in front of me stand but not sing or put their hands over their hearts during our National Anthem. I thought that was a very appropriate show of respect for the rituals of another culture. Would we have been as gracious in their homeland? Would we have even known that what was playing was their National Anthem?
The little things we do mean a lot. Being courteous does not take much effort but is appreciated. Taking the time and energy to learn about another culture so we can respect it make a big difference. Loving as Jesus loves is a good place to start.
Prayer: Lord help me be aware of cultural differences and respectful of the ways of others. Amen.