When the New Day Has Come

It’s written in the book of James, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”

That’s not easy, is it? We live in a very polarized world. It’s easy to demonize people who don’t agree with us theologically or politically. And it is sometimes hard to love people who look different, or who speak a different language, or who don’t measure up to our standards.

There is a story that circulated among the ancient rabbis of the Hasidic tradition about a rabbi who was asked one day by a student, “How can one tell when the new day has come?” The rabbi reversed the question and asked his student, “You tell me how you can know.”

The student guessed, “Is it when the rooster crows to signal a new dawn?” “No,’ the rabbi answered. “Is it then perhaps when one can discern the silhouette of a tree against the sky?” No, he was told. “The surest way to know when the night is over and when a new day has come is when you can look into the face of a stranger, the one who is so different you, and recognize him as your brother. See her as your sister. Until that day comes, it will always be night.”

Jesus once said, “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be called children of your Father in heaven… If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Are not tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

At a time when our nation is so polarized, so divided on so many fronts, what would it mean for those of us who follow Christ, to let go of any favoritism, to build bridges and sow seeds of love.

Let us pray: We are humbled when we realize our place in this vast universe. We are humbled and awed by the sheer magnitude of your love and grace. It’s just amazing to think about this family that you’ve called – a family that stretches around the world – no two people alike. And yet – everyone is created in your image. Thank you, Lord, for including us. Give us the courage to love others – even those very different from us, not just in words, but in actions. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.