Cleanup Act
Whose job is it to clean up all that is rotten in this world?
It has to be someone's job, right? After all, there is a lot of talk about cleansing and judgment and coalitions to stop those who seek to do that work.
I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. - John 12:47
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus sets the record straight. He has not come to judge. He also makes it clear that believing in him is not the goal, but believing in the Father is.
Then Jesus cried aloud: 'Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. - John 12:44
Now, you would think that all who believe in the one God, the God of Abraham, would be fine with that. Let me state that plainly.
Those who see Jesus as a prophet of God should have no problem with that, and those who don't even recognize Jesus as anything but a man who caused trouble for Rome could be just as accepting.
But some Muslims, Jews and even Christians don't stop there.
It seems we all want to fix everything, make it right, make it pure, and that leads to bloodshed. So long as we see the messengers of God as commanders on a battlefield, we are doomed to hatred and murder. If there is such a thing as the devil, there he is, dressed in shiny regalia and ready for a fight.
During our Breaking Hate conversation the other night, the idea came up to get to the root of the matter, address the violence and hatred at the source. What that could mean though is to put a face on hatred and a label that could only lead to more bloodshed.
So, how do we save lives?
It comes down to one thing. Stop the Killing!
Anyone who has even been a victim of hatred knows that doing nothing in the face of aggression can lead to a bad outcome, so it is understandable that we would fight when attacked.
Death to Death. Dust to Dust. Ashes to Ashes.
So, here is a thought. Let's start spreading a simple message. #StopTheKilling.
I know others have used that hashtag, but we can use it to spread the word that killing is senseless.
Will we make a difference?
Who knows? But we can at least let people know that some of us want to do as Jesus commanded. Love one another.
Love starts here.
More to come...
Red Stop Sign Image Copyright: alexmillos / 123RF Stock Photo