I had lunch with an old friend whom I respect. He told me that he had come to the conclusion that religion was a very destructive thing. That was months ago, and I have often pondered that disturbing thought from someone who is intelligent and socially committed.
Last Sunday, the second Sunday in epiphany, I read Isaiah 62:1-12 and Corinthians, 12th chapter and finally in John, the wedding at Cana. Startled by God “vindication” of Jerusalem I think that Muslims, Jews, Christians – all could approach this scripture claiming Jerusalem as theirs, looking one day to be “vindicated.” Then I read in Corinthians that we are all baptized into one body, but of course Paul speaks of our being “baptized” into Christ’s body.
Religion does divide us. Can we just step sideways a little bit and look at the scriptures as uniting rather than dividing? Is that possible? Universal vindication? The vindication of peace? All of us struggling and seeking and suffering and dying, and hoping and living, and rejoicing – all justified, made right, ontologically okay? Is it possible that we are one body – all – Jesus Way, Koran Way, Buddhist Way, Taoist Way. One.
Paul follows chapter 12, of course, with 13, the triumph of love. Jesus, at the urging of his wise mother, changes the water into wine. There is enough for everyone. A grand universal wedding; a body of humanity, a healing of the earth, one great festival. It is, after all, still the season of epiphany, and God continues to reveal Godself in all manner of ways. But it has to be for everyone. Then reconstruction will begin, in Philadelphia, in Chester, in Baghdad. Guns will be beaten into plow shares. It is possible.
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