That support, which can take on the appearance and forgiveness and/or peace, speaks in our lives with far greater meaning than we might first believe. For much in the kingdom of God that we live into, and are called to share, has a long lasting effect on others as we live out our faith. We are not called to practice a silent, distant, faith, but a dynamic one that challenges others to follow Jesus' example.
Majorie Thompson tells the following story from the Dakota Sioux Indians. It is a story that illustrates the communal nature and dynamics of forgiveness. She writes:
"A young man in the tribe has been murdered, and his enraged relatives were gathered to plan revenger. The eldest male in the clan listened to them all out their aggrieved feelings and vindictive intentions, repeating to them what he heard them say. . . Finally, he spoke again to say that there was a better way--a harder but better way. He told them to go home, look over their prized possessions, and bring back the one thing they prized the most.
He said, "The gift you brig shall go to the murderer, for a tone of our sincerity and our purpose. Though he has hurt us, we shall make him. . . [a relative], in place of the one who is not here."
At the appointed time, the murderer was brought into the council tepee and given the peace pipe with these words:
"Smoke, with these your new kinsmen seated here. For they have chosen to take you to themselves in place of the one who is not here. . . It is their desire that henceforth you shall go in and out among them without fear. By these presents which they have brought here for you, they would have you know that whatever love and compassion they had for him is now yours, forever."
Deeply moved, the slayer began to weep."
We read this story and think that is is incredible in its reach and its welcome. We might even wonder how could we adopt a similar posture and practice in our faith journey. Yet these questions should not dissuade us from living out the posture that we read about knowing that the work will be hard each and every day.
While God does not often ask each of us to sell all we have and give to the poor or needy, we are called to offer the level of support and welcome that this story speaks about. Knowing that this is challenging attitude to adopt, I wonder what your life and evangelism would shift if you offered a similar and personal degree of care to someone in your community?
Blessings
Rev. Derek
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