Muslim brothers and sisters

I don't know about you, but increasingly I've seen the issue of our relationship to people of other faiths, particularly Muslims, in the media and especially social media. From the Trump Muslim travel ban to attacks on mosques and a spike in hate crimes against Muslims in Canada, the news has been full of their ill-treatment.

But then there are the stories of how Sikhs in the GTA serve Muslims a meal during an annual festival, with Christians now joining in as well, and of how it was Muslims from the mosque across the street who responded first with EMS to the Grenfell Towers fire in Britain, providing comfort and helping to rescue those trapped inside. After the mosque shooting in Quebec last January, Imams across the country opened their doors to non-Muslims to come and see, to start dialogue, to welcome people’s questions and to build bridges. I still think that this was so courageous. Muslims have also marched in anger and protest of those who claim to share their faith but are extremists causing terror.

The Old Testament lesson this Sunday is Genesis 21:8-21, and it brings all of this back to the forefront for me. Hagar, asked by Sarah to conceive a child by Abraham to give him an heir, has now done this, but Sarah's jealousy and hatred of her has hit an all-time high. She can't even stand to have Hagar and the child, Ishmael, in her household now that she has her own son, Isaac. So she tells Abraham to banish them to fend for themselves in the desert. Abraham knows that this is a death sentence, but he does as she asks and sends Hagar and Ishmael out with some water and bread. In the desert heat, Hagar prepares for their deaths and weeps. But an angel comes to tell her that God will make a great nation from Ishmael, and a well with water appears. God provides and God promises greatness to Ishmael. The Muslim faith includes Ishmael's descendants.

God had promised a great nation to Abraham, the true people of God. Christians and Jews believe that Isaac produced this chosen nation. Muslims believe that Ishmael, the first-born to Abraham albeit through a concubine, had God's favour. And thousands of years later, we have three established world religions with a monotheistic God, much common history, and much misunderstanding among us.

I'm glad I have a few days to prepare what to preach about this passage because it is not simple and our relationship to Muslims is tenuous at best for many. I remember trying to explain to a jr. high youth group the difference between terrorists and Muslims, extremists and Islam. A brilliant scene from tv's The West Wing showed President Bartlett explaining to a group of students that ISIS is to Islam what the KKK is to Christianity. You can't paint all people of a single religion with the same brush or assume the worst because some have become fanatical and lost sight of the basis of their faith.

As I've watched a variety of posts on social media, I feel that now more than ever that we need to recover our common humanity. Even if you don't endorse the Muslim faith, as Christians we are still to love our neighbour and care for the hurting, the oppressed, the other. We have a greater calling. It's been a while since I've seen on-line posts showing people of one religion encircling the worship space of another religion so that others can worship inside safely. Those images are so powerful for so many reasons. 

For any who want to capitalize on our fear of the other, the unknown, by splashing stereotypes, we need to see this for what it is. When we recognize our common humanity and respect our differences, we open doors to understanding and mutual support against those who are seeking to turn us against each other and spark violence, bigotry and hatred. I believe the church needs to be more active in voicing its concern and anger at all acts of violence, but particularly those targeting people because of their beliefs.

We are brothers and sisters. We should take the time to get to know each other, to break down barriers and to listen to each other's stories. In Jesus' day it was shocking that a Samaritan helped the man assaulted at the side of the road. I pray that a Christian helping a Jew, a Jew helping a Muslim, a Muslim helping a Christian - that any of these may become as commonplace and accepted in our time as the Samaritan is to us, the misunderstood other of Jesus' day whose differing roots and beliefs kept them segregated and likely stereotyped. 

We have an opportunity to see the Hagars among us, to recognize any who have been forced out of the household for any reason or treated as less than human. May we know that God provides care and hears the cries of all people, not just us. And may we be ready and willing to extend a hand of friendship and peace as we all seek to bring love, peace and healing to brokenness.