SD-11: On this 10th anniversary of 9/11 we hear of "The Heights" - which are the heights of the barrier which will divide the righteous from the damned on the Day of Judgement.
This sura is a litany of a summary of stories of people who have been disobedient over the period of the Hebrew Scriptures and up to the day of the Prophet. We hear about disbelievers - and - their punishment. I am growing tired of such an ongoing rant.
Yes, I like the way we are being called to faithfulness - but it is always under the threat of punishment - good old fire and complete ruin. Here is what is said about the heights:
A barrier divided the two groups with men on its heights recognizing each group by their marks: they will call out to the people of the Garden, 'Peace be with you!' - they will not have entered, but they will be hoping, and when their glance falls upon the people of the Fire, they will say, 'Our Lord, do not let us join the evildoers!' - and the people of the heights will call out to certain men they recognize by their marks, 'What use were your great numbers and your false pride? And are these the people you swore God would never bless?
It goes on and on.
So on this day I wonder about the 'faithful' who rammed planes into buildings and a field in PA. In the name of their God - they willfully kill innocent people (This is not to say that they saw the structures as evil in their eyes). And yet, when all people are taught to see is this is right - that is wrong, or this is holy - that is unholy, or this is good - that is evil, the warfare never ceases. All we will have left is another day when another prophet will rise up and say the same thing in a new age.
As long as there is 'a barrier' there will be no peace and it is a meaningless for any religious group - Muslim, Jew, Christian - to attempt to greet one another in peace. It is not what we want. We want our side of the barrier to be right and good.
Maybe that is the real brokenness or false faith - we want to be the on the side of the Judge who is able to condemn and also call out the faithful. What a dangerous place to try and put anyone.
Connection: Listen for the Good News - wherever it may be. Learn to be able to distinguish it from all the other stuff that is sold as the truth. This is in all the stuff we hear coming from the mouths and reading of all religious groups - and - all national groups
Blessed are you, God of Mercy, draw us together under the graciousness of your Reign that brings together all your beloved even when we seem to be able to nothing but wage war and demonize others that you call your own. It is only by your loving power that we can be more than people who remain divided. Amen.
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