Only if you believe that in Christ there is no longer Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female for all of us are one in Christ. To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Is indifference really a sin, some might ask? Well, only if you take seriously the weight of God’s instructions to be kind and tenderhearted towards one another, to love one another fervently, to listen and bear with another, to speak the truth in love, to confess our sins to one another so that we may be healed, to forgive as we have been forgiven, to welcome the stranger, to share our bread with the hungry. It also strikes me as being a sin against the heart of God. I do not ask the question, “Where were you when…?” My heart has gone numb. I no longer read to the end of the newspaper articles about the latest attack nor do I rush home to see the coverage on television. Since then, the proliferation of violent events-so many of them racially or ethnically motivated-has made it hard for my heart to step up and feel anything. Sadly, that is the last time I remember being impacted so deeply by a tragic event. When I got back we held a lament service. I remember my stomach being tied up in knots and tears on my face as I saw pictures of lovely, good people whose lives had been snuffed out as they practiced openness and warm welcome in their church! I remember groans coming out of my mouth and I didn’t care who heard me. I remember seeing courage and grace in the midst of terrible adversity, spiritual strength and authority in the midst of profound vulnerability, faith and forgiveness in the face of murderous hatred. I remember our president singing Amazing Grace on national television-something I never thought I would see. I remember being riveted, heartbroken, and stunned-wondering how anyone preaches or officiates or finds their way through such a tragic event. Specifically, I remember being at O’Hare airport waiting for a flight and watching the public memorial service as it was being televised. This was a racially motivated hate crime that forced us all to face the fact that racism is alive and well in our country. The last time I remember “where I was when” is when the pastor of Emmanuel AME Church, also a state senator, and eight parishioners were killed by a young shooter whom they welcomed into a Bible study in the basement of their church. My observation is that this is happening less and less because we are slowly and imperceptibly becoming indifferent. Remember when the question, “Where were you when Kennedy was shot?” was a point of conversation? Remember when we used to ask, “Where were you on 9/11?” and then we let the conversation unfold from there as people described the details of where they were, and how they felt and what they did in the face of such tragedy? And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. Just a little seed will do "ya! There you go.“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.
Your work is done here and off you go without obsessing or excessive info. And let the little seed grow all by itself.
"Wow - he does sound like a good choice for president" "Now THAT'S who would make a good president!" He raised less than McCain but has more cash on hand because he's frugal! He's like a nice grandpa - actually he IS a nice grandpa - I think he has 18 grandchildren." "He came out of nowhere as a long-shot candidate and now has more campaign cash-on-hand than John McCain. that's the first time I've done that in my life." "I just gave $100 to a presidential candidate. I just gave $100, then used that fact to convince several people in the course of the last few hours alone.