“And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:39
“We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
There are moments when the Beloved Community envisioned by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., becomes exquisitely real. These moments seem to come out of nowhere and they disappear fast. But you never forget them. They leave you forever changed. They are the fire in your belly that energizes you to build what some would say is impossible. Some years ago when I was serving as the Transitional Senior Minister at Unity of Dallas one of those moments called on me.
As I pulled into the post office parking lot to pick up my mail I saw the accident. A man was lying in the road, overturned wheelchair beside him. His panic-stricken wife, in her own chair, was sobbing wildly. A huge city bus pulling out of the transit station hadn’t seen him crossing the street in his electric wheelchair and had bumped him. The ambulance and paramedics were just arriving, and the police were taking care of details. I parked my car and walked over to the wife to see if I could help. Holding her, I comforted her and prayed with her. After awhile she grew calm and was ready to talk with the paramedics. Then I looked up and for the first time noticed a small woman standing very calmly and perceptively nearby, listening. She appeared by her clothing – a hijab and a long coat—to be a member of the Muslim faith. The woman looked at me with clear kind eyes and very sweetly said, “God takes care of everybody—he is all right.” And then she walked off.
I think she was an angel bringing me a glimpse of the Beloved Community. Whether angel or human I know that God sent her. Her kindness and wisdom touched my heart and brought me closer to Divine goodness. I am grateful. We are all one—no matter our religion, our background, or the color of our skin—we are all one. We are all participants in God’s Beloved Community.
In the Love and Light of the Christ,
Rev. Anna
