Loving your neighbour
In Harper Lee’s famous novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch says to his daughter: “If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
This novel reflected the racial tension that existed in the American South in the 1930s, highlighting the evil that can breed from racism and the devastating consequences that ensue. It is sad that nearly 100 years later racism still remains a significant issue in our society.
This month, Rev Helen Freeburn writes an overview of a report by PCI into the issue of race in our churches. While many participants (black and minority ethnic members) reported positive experiences within the denomination, others highlighted areas of concern, where continued reflection is needed. Helen says, “we are challenged in our sin and our need of repentance”.
It is very easy to become so consumed with our own problems and challenges that we do not consider the difficulties that others are facing. One such example is highlighted by Rev Uel Marrs in his article on Syria and Lebanon, following a visit earlier this year. While the cost-of-living crisis is genuinely causing hardship to many people here, the consequences there seem unimaginable. Uel reports that the economic collapse is so dire that “what would have bought a house a few years ago will now buy only a pair of shoes!” This is on top of other huge pressures, such as migration – 1.2 million Syrian refugees are now living in Lebanon, which is the equivalent of the population of Mexico moving into the USA.
Despite the enormous challenges, it is extremely humbling to hear the response of our partner Church there. Its members continue to faithfully witness to the gospel, staying true to its motto: ‘Faithful to the call, compassion to all.’
Closer to home, we hear about the difficulties faced by refugees in Belfast and the work of the International Meeting Point (IMP). In Mission Connect, deaconess Sharon Heron tells a heart-warming story about the day the IMP took refugees who have been housed in hotels on a day trip to Carnfunnock Park. “When the bus came down towards the sea,” she says, “a little Ethiopian boy … said to his friend, ‘Look, it’s the ocean!’ His … friend asked, ‘Who made that?’ The boy said, ‘God made the ocean’.”
Maybe Atticus Finch’s thought-provoking words could also be summed up in the words of Jesus, who told us very clearly and simply: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
The Presbyterian Herald is the official magazine of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It provides a forum for debate and discussion on a wide range of topics and aims to challenge and encourage Presbyterians, as well as inform them about what the wider Church is involved in. It has a readership in excess of 25,000 and is distributed throughout Ireland.
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