Change of heart - February 13
Today’s Readings: Psalm 136; Isa. 61:10-62:5; 2 Tim. 4:1-8; Mark 10:46-52
This week I got to catch up with three dear friends from seminary. It has been several months since we have all talked together. We swapped stories, laughed, and cried…and while we gathered virtually on a Zoom call, the warmth of our camaraderie was palpable. Our conversation included talk of the events at our parishes and at our seminary; the Seminary of the Southwest held an annual lecture this week, welcoming Ruby Sales as the speaker.
Ruby Sales’ name may sound familiar. After graduating from high school in 1965, the 17-year-old Alabamian got involved in the Civil Rights Movement and assisted with voter registration efforts. She was arrested at a demonstration in Lowndes County, along with 19-year-old activist Joyce Bailey, Episcopal seminarian Jonathan Daniels, and Roman Catholic priest Richard Morrisroe. After being released from jail on a hot summer day, the two White men and two Black women walked to the country store in Hayneville for a cold drink as they waited for a ride out of town. Their entry to the store was blocked by a volunteer county deputy named Tom Coleman, armed with a 12-gauge shotgun. Coleman threatened them and fired a shot at Ruby. Jonathan Daniels pushed her out of the way; the bullet hit Daniels in the chest and killed him instantly.
Ruby Sales emerged physically intact and emotionally wounded. Since those formational experiences in 1965, Sales has pursued her calling that includes roles as a public theologian, historian, activist, social critic, and educator (see her biographical sketch on this SSW page). She began The SpiritHouse Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to Daniels, and continues to preach and teach across the United States.
Part of Sales’ message this week really sticks with me: we must listen to everyone. Everyone. Every voice. Even when it differs from what we feel comfortable hearing. Especially then. Why? When we listen to all voices, we get to listen for what is behind the words. What is the motivation driving that person? Sales offers the scenario of a person who refuses to wear a mask in public. Perhaps at the heart of this resistance is a longing for personal connection, and a mask is just another imposed impediment to interacting face to face. By listening to one another in the chaos that swirls around us, we are drawn into deeper understanding, our hearts are warmed, and healing can begin.
We see in Mark 10 that sometimes listening to others is challenging. Blind Bartimaeus has been sitting by the roadside. As Jesus and his friends are heading out of Jericho, the beggar learns that Jesus the healer and teacher is approaching. Bartimaeus pleads loudly for Jesus to stop and heal him, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowds shush the man. Though sitting on the ground, he shrieks even louder for Jesus. I can imagine the tension in the scene, as people around Bartimaeus look down on him, scold him, and move away from him. They do not want to hear Bartimaeus or be reminded of his needs.
Jesus changes the hearts of the crowds, for he stops. He sees the blind man. He listens. He hears the cries for pity and care. And the Messiah responds, “Call him here.” Jesus calls Bartimaeus over so that he can understand the man’s needs, and in doing so, the bystanders are moved to compassion and encouragement, saying to the man on the ground, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” We read of Bartimaeus springing up in a resurrection-like movement – rising from the ground, up to the hope of being made whole through the power of God. Jesus restores his sight after he asks to see again.
The community of people gathered on the road outside of Jericho experience their own healing that day. Rather than being annoyed with the chaotic, discordant noise of the beggar, the crowd truly sees the humanity of the man and includes him. They cease the efforts to quiet Bartimaeus’ voice, and instead hear his cry, entering into a moment of reconnection and respect for him.
It is hard to listen to voices that are discordant to our ears, especially when they are loud or angry or inconvenient. Jesus gives us the example to stand still in those times and invite those in need to draw near, so that we may deeply listen and understand. The life and work of Ruby Sales remind us of this. It is hard and holy work that we can only do with God’s help.
— Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
When you hold a different belief that someone else, what do you do? Share it? Convince the person of your position? Invite them to chime in and keep your position to yourself?
With whom do you differ that you want to understand more? Who do you wish understood you?
Daily Challenge
Seek out a person who you know has a different belief than you on a topic of faith, social justice, politics, etc. Invite that person to share their perspective, with your sole job in this time as a listener. Seek to understand what undergirds their belief. Pray for that person, and for God to be with you, as you listen deeply.