Beauty

In his wonderful and thought-provoking book, A River Runs Through It, author Norman Maclean wrestles with some of the fundamental questions of human life...who and what are we?...how do we love those around us?...what, ultimately, do those around us really need from us? Since the first time I read this book, I was captivated by the questions inherent in his story, and the discovery of answers along the journey.

For me, one of the more poignant and personally challenging moments in the book comes after his troubled brother Paul's death. His murder has been a painful one for the family, especially Norman's father, who often asks Norman for more information about what happened. Finally breaking after these repeated questions with no answers to give, Norman blurts out in frustration, "If you push me far enough, the only thing I really know is that he was a good fisherman." His father, a Christian pastor, pauses and replies, "You know more than that. You know he was beautiful."

We call many things in this world beautiful, and rightfully so. But to know in our hearts that each of us is truly beautiful at our most core level as God's creation is a defining, and shattering thought. Imagine how different our interpersonal relationships would be if we always started from a point of recognizing the other as "beautiful". Imagine how different our world would be if instead of labels and stereotypes, we all began from the standpoint that the other is beautiful at the most fundamental core of existence.

As one who has a brother who I do not understand, I am often at a loss to describe him to people. Like Norman Maclean, my journey has led to me to the place where I now recognize that my brother is beautiful, first and foremost. And I am now understanding just how different a light that knowledge brings to our relationship, and how I can possibly move forward in it.

"You know more than that. You know he is beautiful." At times, these seem to be the very words of God to me in response to my prayers for understanding of those I do not understand.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Yesterday, May 1st, was the date of the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is an important date for me that leads me into deep reflection on all I have learned and read and heard and seen. It also makes me recall one event in particular.

I will never forget my personal encounter with a Holocaust survivor one winter day in Chicago. The elderly woman was in front of me in the grocery store, and I offered to carry a bag for her. When she passed it to me I noticed the tattoo on her arm. She must have seen me staring at it, for she began to tell me her story. Almost all of her family was killed. She barely survived. But what was most painful to me was the look on her face when I told her that I was in seminary to be a pastor. She looked as if she was going to say something, but simply grabbed her bag and walked away. It was from that moment that I began to study the roots of Anti-Semitism found in the Church, and committed myself to educating others about the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism.

May I each and everyday "Never Forget".