Scripture: Job 13:6
Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
Thought for the Day: There are only a few things more painful than not being understood. Despite one’s best effort, her/his words fall on ears incapable or unwilling to listen. Job knew that experience a little too well. His three friends (we must always use that term rather loosely as they did not show much friendship) made great assumptions about him, and for that reason, they could not hear what he was saying. In our current culture, much is assumed about the Islamic faith that has no basis in fact. Of course there are political fanatics who have claimed to be righteous Muslims, but its the same idealogical garbage Christianity has experienced in its history. There have been plenty of ruthless murders over the centuries who have attempted to bless their evil by ‘Christianizing’ it.
Last week on September 11, I attended a breakfast at the Baitus Samee Mosque. The Imam and other members of the congregation gave a clear depiction of the Islamic faith that is peaceful and about the work of compassion. Yet what we see on TV and what is reinforced in the media is not Islam, but those who have co-opted a religion as a means of justifying their hate. I often hear Christians say, “Then why doesn’t real Islam stand up and make itself known?” The Muslim people are, but we are not listening… well actually, we are listening, but we are listening to those who have no desire to introduce a mainline Muslim. Instead, they want to introduce the nuts who are going to create news. Imagine how frustrated Job felt. Our Islamic brothers and sisters are equally frustrated. As followers of Jesus, shouldn’t we be those who listen for the truth, and by listening, I mean sitting down over breakfast and being attentive to the words and actions of good people who simply want to be heard.
Prayer: Lord, give me the ears of Jesus who listen to those he met with a desire to understand and appreciate. In doing so, may the world move toward peace and reconciliation. Amen.
