Interfaith

Throughout the last year, I have gotten more heavily involved in two interfaith community organizations. I’m a new board member of Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida. I’ve started attending leadership meetings for the Interfaith Action Group of Southwest Florida. And Lamb of God already had strong ties with Lee Interfaith for Empowerment. Though not on purpose, I’m beginning to see an interfaith theme throughout my professional relationships. This makes sense for a congregation that is interdenominational, both Lutheran and Episcopalian. Interfaith values are in our DNA.  

Especially in these divisive times, I feel a deep sense of heightened importance to unite around what matters most… love for one another. To value interfaith relationships, love must defeat our arrogance. Relationships are more important than dogma. I am assured enough in my own religion that I do not see people of other faiths as a threat. This is a sign of maturity, to see those who disagree with us not as enemies.

Divisiveness is a powerful tool that works to keep us isolated, silent, and unengaged. God calls us into the opposite. As people bearing the Good News of Christ, our message is that we can be both loving toward one another and maintain deep relationships at the same time. We cannot “love” each other simply because we do not know each other. That is not love!

Recently, I sat in the back pew at an event held at a Jewish Synagogue. The majority of those in attendance were Muslim. A Christian leader did most of the talking. It was a unique room of people. We prayed together, we sang together, and we grounded our message in love. I couldn’t figure out how this experience was different than what we do every Sunday. I don’t often claim to have visons of Jesus, but I saw him out of the corner of my eye singing next to me that day. It gave me all the assurance I needed to feel confident about continuing to deepen these interfaith relationships.

Despite what we may hear all day long… from media… from political talking heads, we have so much more in common than we are told. We all want what’s best for our families, our neighborhoods, and our country. It’s true, we are diverse, but we are united around love. We all hold compassion and generosity as scared values. Kindness is the tie that binds. The Apostle Paul speaks about love elegantly. He insists that “if we have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have, then we have nothing” (1 Cor.13:2).

United in love,

Pastor Lucas

Photo by Noah Holm