Let us see others as God sees us

“Today, if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other – that man, that woman, that child is my brother or my sister. If everyone could see the image of God in his neighbor, do you think we would still need tanks and generals?” – Mother Teresa

I recently read a book called “Cherished Belonging” by Fr. Gregory Boyle. In it, he shares how he (an Irish Catholic) came to be in a lifelong relationship with the inner-city gangs of Los Angeles. Over the past 36 years, he has co-created a “community of cherished belonging” which he calls Homeboy Industries. This community is built upon two principles. The first is that “Everyone is unshakably good (no exceptions),” and the second is “we belong to each other (no exceptions).” Boyle also explores the slight, but important, distinction between being loved and being cherished in the pages of this book.

One of the many stories shared by Fr. G (as the Homies call him) was about a gang member who came to Homeboy one day brandishing a weapon. The host who greeted this gang member opened his coat widely and asked the gang member to please place the weapon in the inner pocket of his jacket. It would be returned after his appointment with Fr. G was finished. 

Boyle said of this encounter, “Cherished is love with its sleeves rolled up and its coat wide open.” When we quickly sort others into categories or label them as being evil, this stops progress. In the words of Father Boyle, “What made Jesus dangerous was his lack of fear.”  Jesus constantly walked toward those on the margins. He was intentional, he modeled curiosity rather than judgement.  

In a world that is riddled with a great deal of hate speech these days, not to mention differing opinions on just about everything, how can we find what is “unshakably good” in others, and can we belong to another who believes or thinks differently? 

Boyle offers this (and I invite you to ponder his words during the days as we approach Christmas): “I do believe in an all-powerful God. I always thought one had to choose between an all-loving God or an all-powerful one. But this power does not reside in God’s rescue of us nor in God’s choosing to change outcomes; rather, God’s power is found in the sustaining love that is always extended our way and accompanies us. Not a God who intervenes but one who energizes us to act…the all-loving God IS powerful. We don’t have to choose. The power is in the loving.”  

Love does not allow “us and them” because “love never stops loving.” In this season of hope, peace, joy and love remember the words of Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth through the lens of the First Nations Version of the Bible: “The road to love has no end.”   During this season of miracles, wonder and awe, may we open our eyes and hearts to see each other as God sees us and love each other as God loves each of us.