V

V. RADICAL LOVE: A PASSIONATE LOVER

To be a peace-maker, you need the soul of a fighter.
--- Ghassan Andoni.

If Christ does not make a transformation, I would not be a Christian.
-- Charles Ajam-Ali, Luther Seminary, Minneapolis

Scripture: Matthew 26: 47-56

Jesus has finished his prayer in which he interceded for the unity of the world and the unity of his ministry which will be carried forth by his immediate disciples and the innumerable disciples who would follow him down through the ages.

Jesus comes out of the Garden of Gethsemane with his sleepy disciples. But Judas is marching toward Jesus with a large crowd of people with "swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people" (Mat. 26:47). The temple police were on site (Mat. 26:58), and so were a "detachment" of soldiers (John 18: 3& 12).

In this setting, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. On seeing this, Peter, one of the core disciples of Jesus, draws his sword and cuts off the ear of the High Priest's servant, Malcus, a henchman who has arrived there to carry out the order of the priest. It was an act of pure self-defense on the part of Peter to protect Jesus. But Jesus' response is radically different. He commands Peter to stop, and says, "Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Mat.26:52-53). A legion of soldier could be about 6,000 troops. "Love your enemies" is a call to a new and radical discipleship.

In a recent report published by the Washington-based Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, research shows that only 10 percent of Americans say that religious beliefs were the strongest influence in their thinking. The survey questioned about 1,032 adults from March 13-16, 2003, the survey had a margin of error up to 5 percentage points. The Pew Surveys also show that religion has more impact on issues like abortion, homosexuality, and capital punishment than on issues of war. Religious pronouncements on war from various denominations may have little influence on the congregations at a given point. But the story of influence is not quantifiable.

Let us use the story of Jesus' disciples to test it. Let us go back to Peter and all the disciples. These deserted Jesus and fled the site (Mat. 26:56). The story does not end here. The same disciples who were in fear of their lives lived out lives of courage after Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension.

For example, Peter witnessed to the power of the gospel, non-violence and love, till his death. Tradition says he requested to die upside down on the cross. Radical love costs one's own life. Andrew was crucified on a cross decussate form, in the shape of the letter X. Bartholomew was crucified in Armenia; James the son of Zebedee, died witnessing to Herod (Acts 12:2); Matthew is said to have died a martyr's death in Ethiopia; Mathias was stoned to death; Thomas is said to have martyred in India.

The core of Christianity can be tested in the crucibles of war and peace. In India, in the 20th century, Gandhi used peaceful means to free an enslaved people from colonial powers. A Methodist missionary to India, Stanley E. Jones, a close friend of Gandhi's compared the Indian leader's methods of non-violence in vivid Christian terms, saying that Gandhi laid the cross of Jesus across the political life of India. Further, Martin Luther King Jr., initiated his political ends of African American equality by non-violence and peace. Cesar Chavez is another example of one who was tested.

The way of the cross these people exemplified is a counter-cultural act. Turning the other cheek is a counter-cultural act. Breaking the cycle of violence through non-violent means is a counter-cultural act. But it brings violence to a grinding halt. Not easy. It is not impossible either.

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION:

(1) What are some of the ways in which you can monitor hate-related crimes in your area? Be a data collector and get involved in the "Tracking/Clipping Project of the General Board of Global Ministries where you can help track crimes and violence nationwide. Hate crimes are committed because of intolerance of someone's race, religion, ethnicity, gender, physical or mental abilities, or sexual orientation. Scan newspaper for articles and clip them with name, date, and other information and send them to:

Women's Division, General Board of Global Ministries, 475 Riverside Drive, Rm 1502, NY NY 10115-0050. Attn: Ministries in the Midst of Hate and Violence. Ph. 212-870-3732.

"Muslim Americans: War Brings New Surge of Anxiety for Followers of Islam." The New York Times March 29, 2003. p. B15. The article says that Hassan Elsaad, a civil engineer of Lebanese descent, used to take his family to a public park. Now he does not. Seema Munir, a Muslim doctor, says that she "constantly has to prove to people that she is not a terrorist." Muslim women who wear the traditional scarf "hijab" say they feel especially "vulnerable." What are the ways in which a Christian can show basic neighborliness to help overcome fear?

(3) Make yourself familiar with the different ways in which the cross, the major Christian symbol, is used to promote hate and hate crimes. When Hate Comes to Town: A Handbook of Effective Community Responses (Center for Democratic Renewal, 3rd edition, 2001-2002, pages 135-137). Available from Service Center, #1412. $10. Ph. 1-800-305-9857. Fax: 1-513-761-3722. See www.stormfront.org

(4) See Appendix A at the back for organizations which you can contact to report hate crimes in your area.

(5) Media Monitoring to assess international coverage of war and peace:

(a) Basic questions to ask: What is my truth? What is your truth? What is the Truth? It is part of the ancient Chinese wisdom to ask such questions. It is relevant for peace as well as war time media monitoring.

(b) Who are "embedded" reporters? Robert Fisk, a media analyst, has offered some suggestions on media monitoring. His media literacy tools are listed below:

*"Reporters who wear items of American or British military costume-helmets, camouflage jackets, weapons etc.,

*Reporters who say "we" when they are referring to the U.S. or British military unit in which they are "embedded."

*Those who use the words "collateral damage" instead of "dead civilians."

*Those who reporting from the Iraqi side, referring to the Iraqi population as "his" (Saddam's) people.

*Journalists who use the phrase "officials say" without naming, quite specifically, who these..."officials" are."

(d) "Listen for the human voice."

"Nancy Chamberlin's son, Marine Major Jay Aubin, had been killed in action in Southern Iraq. The grieving mother had a wrenching message for the media. Listen to the human voice...She said, 'I truly admire what all the new technology can do. But for mothers and wives out there watching, it is murder. It is heartbreaking...The technology is great, but there are moms, there are wives...and they are suffering.'"

"Listen for the Human Voice" by Jonathan Alter in News Week March 31, 2003. p. 39.

What are the human voices you hear? What are the voices of women, children and youth you hear?

(e) World Association of Christian Communication (WACC) has started a "blog," a place, to find out information about the communication issues. This blog is called "taking sides." The WACC blog is http://takingsides.blogspot.com

(f) When you listen to news, keep asking the simple questions: What is my truth? Your truth? The Truth? Ask them in the light of the One who said, "I am the Truth," even Jesus the Christ.

(g) "What is Truth?" Pilate asked Jesus (John 18:39). Jesus stood in silence before him. Pilate never waited to find out the truth. He washed his hands and handed over Jesus to the crying mob which shouted, "Crucify him, crucify him." Cherish silence and stillness in your meditation to find more insights, the ability to sift truth from half truths. The One who said, "I am the Truth," even Jesus the Christ, will lead you on to truth telling.