A Christian Perspective

I was Roman Catholic for most of my life, and the only time I was sure that I ate the body and blood of Jesus in communion was in a predominantly black church in a working class neighborhood. He appeared to me as a black man in the bread and wine, and I knew I had received. I don’t know if that statement is offensive to anyone, but I assure you, I mean no harm. Often I am moved by the love of Jesus for the poor, but it seems like the church, for many people, has lost its concern for the poor. As a seriously and persistently mentally ill person, I have experienced some time as the lowest and the least. I have a family and friends now, but for a time I was alone and very sick. Some people were quite compassionate, but that doesn’t cure mental illness.

I am Buddhist now, and I hope you can understand that I still love Jesus; I’m just not a postmodern Christian. I had a friend once who liked to say that she was a God-fearing Buddhist. I’ve always appreciated that because I think that surely God wasn’t absent in the formation of the East. It seems to me that God, or reality itself (you can use either term as far as I’m concerned), is not concerned with dividing nations, religions, races, or any of the other divisions we name. If we truly are one, then why do so many of us fight community? I don’t understand! I don’t know where this post is going, I’ll try to stay succinct, but this stuff needs to be said for anyone who’s been distracted by politics or any other dividing force that we encounter. God does not acknowledge man’s divisions. We have to get back together somehow, someway. We must wake up, one soul at a time, until there are no violent souls left. Hopefully the awakening is accelerating.

Harboring hatred for anyone, even if it’s righteous indignation, harms us more than we can know in this life. It festers; breeds more hatred and division. That’s the last thing this world needs, especially in this divided nation. We don’t have any more time for this. We must grow out of it as a people. However, this is not a call to endorse everyone; just to not hate. Perhaps that’s the best first step.

I value three traits in a friend: peace, loving kindness, and compassion. Of course, not everyone possesses these traits, so setting healthy boundaries is important so that we’re not dragged down by toxicity. I’m not a mental health professional, so I won’t go too much deeper on setting healthy boundaries, just don’t be cruel with them. Everyone deserves a little love.

Like and comment, if you wish.

Peace to you and yours.