Musings: Notes From My Daybook

The Martin Marty Center published a piece today on the rise of a new anti-semitism in America.  Having returned a couple of days ago from Israel myself I find it quite disheartening that these age old issues continue to play out in our culture.  The Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, stands as a ever present reminder of how this evil of prejudice can quickly play out--among people who we might think should know better.

 But alas. . . . There is no safe guard against prejudice and ignorance other than the courage to hope and trust in others.  As Christians we can do no less than follow the way of Jesus in this matter.  Even so, the grim reality is that in standing for the well-being of others, we ourselves may bear the brunt of prejudice.  But the way of the cross is one that is characterized by suffering, not a day at the beach.

Contrary to the sacchrine visions of blessings and wealth that often comes wafting through the television programs of well-suited evangelists the Christian vision of the world is one where God's people take it on the chin.  God desires the world to be a better place, but He does not desire it to be a better place just for Americans.  He has  that desire for all people--Christians, Jews, Muslims--and even folks who follow after traditions that are not rooted in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Martin Niemoller was a Lutheran minister in Germany during the rise of Hitler.  His resistance to Germany's policies landed him in jail.  When asked about his resistance he said what has now come to be quite well-known:

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.