We continue the theology of Ubuntu - Michael Battle.
For Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ubuntu recognizes that human beings are called to be persons in community because we are made in the image of the triune God. Drawing an analogy to music, Tutu concludes that the music would be good even if it were just the contribution of one person, but, "it is glorious when it is a harmony, a harmony of different voices....God says, it is precisely our diversity that makes for our unity. It is precisely because you are you and I am me that [God] says, 'You hold on together.'"
One person can do so much good. One voice can lift up a community to new heights. But that one voice - without a community - is just a voice crying in the wilderness. In this season of Advent, we hear the voice of one crying in the wilderness. John is a strong voice for the new way of life within the Reign of God. And yet, he points to the Reign of God alive within the mix of humanity - Jesus. It will be Jesus in the mix...Jesus connecting with others...Jesus alive as one wrestling with other voices and other lives so that the image of God might be seen more clearly. From Jesus comes - the community - the followers of Jesus in Acts...the formation of a new identity for humanity. This is an identity that must be seen within the context of people mixing it up and being transformed in the meantime.
Connection: Sometimes it takes one voice to begin bringing together others who long to hear of a new way and then see it come to life. For the life of the community, we may need one voice to inspire the voices of others. The when the voices are lifted up together - wow.
When you pull us into your sacred community, O God, we arrive there as we meet and greet one another. For there in the midst of the "us" you are visible all around the room. Continue to treat us to such times as these. Amen.
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