Tuesday, 9 March, 2004

We will continue to base the devotions on “God for a Secular Culture” by Jurgen Moltmann.



This week we will be looking at how knowledge of the ‘other’ leads to community in diversity.

If our organs of perception encounter something like, something familiar, or something that already corresponds to ourselves, we feel endorsed, and that is pleasing to our senses. If our organs of perception encounter something different, strange or new, then the initial effect is pain. We feel resistance of the alien. We feel the contradiction of the other. We sense the claim of the new. The pain shows us that we must open ourselves, in order to take in the other, the alien and the new.



The suggestion that we feel pain when we perceive something strange or new or different seems to be a bit strong. And yet, the way we react to such stimuli is to back off and return to what is more like us…more familiar. No, we don’ say “ouch” or grimace with pain when that which is different is taken in by our senses…but then again, we do…in various ways. A classic example is one used when we talk about racism. How often do you hear stories of people (I don’t want to use any of us as examples because that would having us admit to something we may not want to endorse) who sometime in their life were confronted with people of another color…lets say a few young men that were “different” than we may be. The first reaction…panic…cross the street…look around to see who else is close by…clutch a purse. That which is different creates an instantaneous reaction…but we need not be ruled by that reaction. These opportunities – to be with the one who is different – may need to go through some translation so that we will see ‘different’ as potential for new life…all around.



Connection: We react so quickly it may be difficult to step into the space of those who may be strange and different from us. Therefore, we are urged to be in prayer – constantly…to be in touch with the one who loves…no matter what the ‘differences’ may be. How would that impact this day!?!



By your creative imagination, O God, you bring into this day the many faces of your loving Reign. Remind us of the beauty of the ones who are around us and how you long to weave us together within the vision of your loving kindness. Amen.