This is a picture taken in 1992 of leaders representing nine of the world’s major religions at a gathering in London. They founded the Alliance of Religion and Conservation as a show of harmony and cooperation amongst world religions. These leaders have since gone on to work with the World Bank to work towards an end to poverty.
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
~ Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
I have seen this verse many times. Especially memorable to me is a plaque with these words printed upon it hanging in the homes of several acquaintances. I appreciate the sentiment—as I see it—that we should be kind to strangers and newcomers for they may be visitors from heaven. For me there is something more in this, however. I love to entertain, to have people visit my home. It is a way for me to show something of myself and to become closer to others, by inviting them into my home. In doing so, I also form a bond, a closer connection with someone, and that is what friends and relationships are all about. Those ‘angels’ that may have been entertained without our even knowing it could be those more intimate friendships forming. As I write this, I just said goodbye to some friends who spent several hours in my home eating, worshipping, sharing stories, and growing closer. Relationships such as that are the ‘angels’ in my life.
The fourth of June was my grandfather’s birthday. He passed away two years ago (two days after his birthday) and I am still mourning the loss. There were times in my life that we were close, and others where we were not, but I always knew he was there. For me, it was the first time I had ever lost someone whom I had really known. There is nobody that can fill that void because we knew each other in a way that was unique to us. The intricacies of our own personalities are what formed the relationship.
He was a missionary earlier in life – traveling the world doing good deeds, serving humanity and teaching people about Jesus Christ. But by the time I was born he was the pastor of the large suburban where we lived. My grandmother used to take me to church with her on Sundays so we could hear Grandpa preach. By the time I had declared myself as a member of the Baha’i Faith, he did not have the energy to have serious discussions with me. I would like to think that he was proud of the journey that I had made as I continue to wander down the path of life. His was one of the few opinions that I always took to heart.
Be in perfect unity. Never become angry with one another. … Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the people themselves. But if you look toward God, you will love them and be kind to them, for the world of God is the world of perfection and complete mercy. Therefore, do not look at the shortcomings of anybody; see with the sight of forgiveness. The imperfect eye beholds imperfections. … You must love and be kind to everybody, care for the poor, protect the weak, heal the sick, teach and educate the ignorant.
~ Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 92
This is one of my favorite passages. I often find myself referring it. There is a person that I find myself becoming angry with a lot lately. I do not believe she is doing anything intentional or even aware of the problem. Every time this occurs, I find myself looking for this passage and reminding myself that the shortcomings I see in her are some of the same ones that other people see in me.
Of particular importance to me is the direct statement that “humanity is not perfect” and the directive that we “must love and be kind to everybody, care for the poor, protect the weak, heal the sick, teach and educate the ignorant.” I think remembering these two things as we go through our day could help bring the world a little bit closer, to make us more forgiving of each other and to reduce our anger and stress.
Good is filial devotion to one’s mother in the world
~ Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards)
Today is a day to honor mothers. We all have one. She carried you in her womb and during that time was the sole provider of sustenance in your life. Your entire world was inside of her while you were developing and being prepared for this world. It was she who made you who you are while she was so entirely devoted to you. No matter what your relationship with her today, spend time with her today… whether it be a visit or phone call, let her know that you are still devoted to her.
O SON OF DUST!
Beware! Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him, for such companionship turneth the radiance of the heart into infernal fire.~ Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words #57
I noticed that when I became a Baha’i, my group of friends began to change. Many of the people that I had associated with previously were really just people that I drank with in bars. There was not much of a spiritual connection. I found that the Baha’is that I met were interesting people and I was able to make better connections with them because I knew we would have similar insights into a variety of topics, yet with the community being as diverse as it is there was always some new perspective that the other was able to bring into the discussion. These changes were not intentional, nor did they occur overnight, but when I read this quote, I wondered if something had me do this that I was unaware of.
It is not uncommon for people to go through some hard times in their lives—whether it is from the death of child, difficulty resisting temptation, a mental illness, or even just a Monday morning, we all have troubles. I have seen many people respond that because something bad has happened to them they should stop believing that there is a loving God who wants the best for them. They reject God’s teachings.
Whenever I see this I am reminded of people in relationships such as a marriage, a parent and teenager or even close friends. When one person feels vulnerable, confused, alone or hurt, some terrible things can be said. It is illogical that we would be so callous to one of the people who is the most dedicated to us in the world—one of the few who actually cares very deeply about us personally and will love us unconditionally.
Unfortunately, it seems to be human nature to take out our aggressions and make external all of our negative feelings and unleash them upon this person who loves us so much. Perhaps, this is not entirely self-defeating… I have a theory that our sub-conscious minds select the people to be the recipients of our grief who are able to take it on and still love us for who we are because of who they are. Are we, perhaps, able to know who can absorb our anger and turn it into love, and therefore, feel safe lashing out at this person this way?
I have a feeling that many people are doing the same things when they turn away from God. The comments that a just God cannot exist if such a tragedy should befall them, are hurtful to God and akin to the teenager daughter telling her mother she hates her, or of the husband frustrated at not getting a promotion at work berating his wife, or even the woman who was just dumped by her boyfriend and starts an argument with her best friend. Every time we question His authority, whether or not He is working our lives, or why He has done what he has, we are lashing out at God.
Why do we lash out at God? Why do we lash out at the one who loves us the most?
NOTE: Although the saying “lashing out at the one who loves us the most” has been heard before, it was hearing it in a song by Rich Mullins, who was a wonderfully talented Christian musician, that first inspired this post.
If you look at any playground you can see children of all sizes, shapes, colors and religions laughing and playing together. They don’t seem to create distinctions to keep themselves apart, but often look first for what makes them similar. Playmates may begin to notice each other’s differences, but it tends to be a source of curiosity and a reason to get to know the playmate a little better, not something to keep them apart. Children seem to be interested in forming bonds with each other to make new friends.
When do kids lose that natural curiosity and begin to use those differences to separate them from others? Why does this happen? What kinds of things can teachers and parents do to encourage that curiosity?
Teachers often say they learn a lot from their students. Maybe kids can show adults how to live together.
I was listening to the song "We Can Show You How" from One World by the Children’s Theatre Company when I thought of this post. You can listen to this song and 4 others on their MySpace page.
While one question may be, Can they show us how?, perhaps the larger unknown is, Will we listen?
Note: This entry is cross-posted on my other blog – TeacherJay’s EduBlog.