We are all Connected
Any man’s death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- John 13:35
My wife’s family has a tradition that when the Uncle, Sisters, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Grandkids, and in-laws gather at Momma and Dad’s home for a family meal, we all hold hands and pray before we eat. Among this tribe are wildly different religious, political, and social perspectives, but we come together out of love. Along this line of thought is this favorite poem of mine:
No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thy friend’s Or of thine own were: Any man’s death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind, And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. - by John Donne (1572-1631)
What an amazing statement, “If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less.” That line never fails to stir me.
During John Donne’s time, bells were rung to let people know that someone in their community had died. It was important for the community to know they’d lost one of their own. We need that kind of thinking in our world today. The constant barrage of headlines about death, harm, and betrayal has made us numb, desensitizing us to human suffering.
Dr. Jonathon Haidt, in his book “The Righteous Mind” (an academic book, not a Christian book), states that we have six moral foundations: Care vs. Harm, Fairness vs. Cheating, Loyalty vs. Betrayal, Authority vs. Subversion, Sanctity vs. Degradation, and Liberty vs. Oppression. From these, we should see that we have a moral imperative to care about people; to love people.
Whatever befalls any one of us affects us all. Life is precious. As sons and daughters of Adam, we are created in God’s image. Unjustly bringing harm to anyone is an attack upon Jesus through whom “all things were created.” (Colossians 1:15-20)
Now, you may say, “‘I love my family, but I hate people, especially slow drivers in the passing lane!” I care relate! But the fact is, there are at least eight times in the Bible where God tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.1”
So, take a deep breath and pray with me, “Oh God, my Father, help me to love (fill in a person’s name). In the Name of Your precious Son Jesus, I pray. Amen!”
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”: Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8