Opening Words: Today, we continue our worship series that points us toward connection in a world of divisions. The root of the word “human” is the same as the word “humility.” It all means literally “on the ground.” From dust we came, and to dust we shall return. When we hear each other’s fears, anxieties, and pain, we can return to the ground of hope… that we are all experiencing the pains of being human. This week, we remember to look first at our neighbor as a person, not a position. Beginning conversations this way may help us to stay human and “on the ground” with one another rather than needing to come out “on top.”
This morning, we are reflecting upon the idea of what it means to be human, to be a grounded person, one who displays humility in the best sense of that word. We are connected to the earth from which we have come and when we are able to stay grounded, we have a better sense of our humanity and the humanity of others. Each year as we begin the Season of Lent, we are reminded of this idea, “From dust we came, and to dust we shall return.” And let us not forget that we are all stardust, all a part of the beginning of creation as we move through this journey of life. When we hear each other’s fears, anxieties, and pain, we can return to the ground of hope… that we are all experiencing the pains of being human.
This week, we are invited to see our neighbor as one who shares much in common with us. Beginning conversations this way may help us to stay human and “on the ground” with one another rather than needing to come out “on top.” Last week, I shared a wonderful observation from Mr. Rogers who said that it is difficult to hate someone once you hear their story. The key to that idea working in reality is listening…and listening with an open heart and an open mind. Sometimes our own stories can be a barrier to listening to another; our own beliefs, even prejudices, our personal hurt and suffering may color what we are able to take in. And yet, listening, and reminding ourselves that we are all walking on the same Holy Ground is the key to understanding and compassion. Let us pray, O Gracious and Holy One, thank you for the gift of our being. Be with us this day and in the weeks ahead. Expand our hearts that we may remember to see your divinity in ourselves and in everyone we meet. Amen.
I’d like to share a story about a friend of mine’s father who died a few months ago. His name was Geung Goo Michael Lee. His daughter, Anna, is the person who introduced Rich and me. Anna was raised in Chicago with her 3 younger sisters by their amazing parents, both of whom emigrated from Korea after the US lifted restrictions on Asian immigration. After her father died, I was deeply touched by one of the most amazing Obituaries I have ever read. Her parents had worked hard their entire lives. Her dad owned the local service station and together, he and his wife raised 4 remarkable, talented and faith filled women.
One of the touching points of his Obit was the description of Mr. Lee as a man of unwavering integrity, decency and honest work. He helped many family members and friends immigrate to the US as well over the years and was a highly respected member of his church and his community. His daughters wrote that “In 1973, after working as a mechanic in others’ gas stations, he opened Lee’s Auto Service, which he owned and operated for 33 years until he retired in 2006. For most of those years he kept to a strict routine: He rose at 5am to open the station. Fourteen hours later, at 7pm, he would close the station, deposit his day’s proceeds at Forest Park Bank, go home for dinner with his family, and then go to the driving range. “ I recall visiting their home and the generous hospitality shared with me because they received me as one who had been an educator to their oldest daughter in my role as a college chaplain. It was deeply moving.
“In some ways he lived in two opposite, parallel worlds: Non-Korean customers at Lee’s Auto Service saw a taciturn immigrant service worker with dirty hands who spoke broken English, while his fellow Koreans in the many fraternal and social organizations he joined and led saw a successful businessman and father whose quiet generosity and diligent work ethic they admired and respected.
Sometimes, these worlds would collide. For one thing, Mr. Lee was not immunized from the anti-Asian racism that afflicts American society. Additionally, non-Korean waitresses, valet parkers, or golf course workers might overlook or take for granted the short quiet Asian man, only to be surprised by his generous tips and unfailing kindness.”
I thought of Mr. Lee this morning as I reflected upon our readings today. He was an exceptional human being and yet, I imagine many of us have members of our families who have come from humble origins, worked hard, treated others with decency and lived quiet lives of integrity.
The reading we heard this morning is a portion of a larger section dealing with the ethical dimension of Christianity: what we do with what we believe—how we live that points to our faith. The author encourages humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love, maintaining unity… sounding very similar to Paul when he names the fruits of the spirit in the book of Galatians!
In this season of heightened conflict, I am reminded of another word—something which can also help when our conflicts can get too “heated” according to people who are gifted mediators and that can also be associated with that same root word and that is humor.
When we laugh together (and sing, for that matter), something happens that connects us to the person we are laughing with. Not at, but with. When we can laugh together, and share a connection over finding the same thing being funny, we can’t help but perceive more of the humanity of the person we are with.
I think we underestimate the healing power of humor. Especially in conflict. Sometimes laughter breaks the hold that tension can have. Laughter provides a different way to vent our fear and anger, even. Perhaps that might explain the popularity of so many news shows that succeed because they are run by comedians. When we laugh together, we lose the need to defeat one another. What if we could focus less on winning and more on sharing? Sharing our humanity… sharing our passions and concerns… and maybe sharing a few jokes as well.
What if we took the time to listen to others in a sacred way?
Writer Nancy Bloomer writes, “Love. That’s what sacred listening is about. It is listening to another person from the heart and responding from an inner place of silence where the ego and its courtiers have left the premises, at least briefly.
There is a story about Mother Theresa and a conversation she once had with the journalist Dan Rather, who asked her, “You say that you pray all the time. What do you say to God?” Mother Teresa replied, “I don’t say anything…I listen.”
The response somewhat put Dan Rather off his footing, and after he re-grouped his thoughts, he said: “Well, then what does He say to you?”
Mother Teresa replied: “He doesn’t say anything…He listens…” There was a fairly long pause, after which Mother Teresa said… “…and if you can’t understand that, I cannot explain it to you.”
Rumi wrote, “The language of God is silence.” The essence of listening and speaking from the heart is inner silence, whether we are praying with God or speaking with someone. It is only when our opinions, our judgments, and our self-centeredness are silenced that we can truly listen to another person. And it is only when our sense of self-importance and our need to perform are silenced that we can truly speak from the heart. Inner silence demolishes our fear of appearing foolish in the presence of another, and we find ourselves willing to speak our truth, warts and all.
In Random Thoughts on the Love of God, Simone Weil writes,
“Our soul makes constant noise, but it has a silent place we never hear. When the silence of God enters us, pierces our soul and joins its silent, secret place, then God is our treasure and our heart. And space opens before us like a fruit that breaks in two. Then we see the universe from a point beyond space.”
So we might reflect upon this wisdom from some holy women and certainly the wisdom of Paul and Jesus as we seek to listen from a deep place within. When we make time for silence, it can allow us to remember that we are part of something so much bigger than our day to day concerns or points of disagreement. A little humor can also go a long way. We are all star dust; we are all beloved Children of God.
– https://wisdomwaypoints.org/