In my recent post on Discalced
Diplomacy, I told a personal story about taking off my shoes and how that
related to engaging others of different faith traditions. I hinted at how a
mental practice of “taking off our shoes” can give us insight into how to
engage in relational dialogue with those of diverse faith traditions. In a
subsequent paper, I suggested three things. For best results, we should …
In addition to all the other
outwear we will need for the “wilderness trek” through this life, and all the
risks and adventures it contains, God gives us shoes for the journey, the kind
that don’t wear out, “And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness
given by the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)
If we are going to wear shoes, let’s
make sure that it is because we have “put on the readiness given by the gospel
of peace” so that we might respond quickly and faithfully, going where Jesus
sends us…into the entire world. Moses was sent to Egypt.
‘I am the God of your fathers, the
God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare
to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for
the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the
affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I
have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’ (Acts
7:32-34)
Paul was sent into areas where
no one had preached before, and ultimately knew he would go to Rome, where he and
Peter would both die. Thomas went to India. Bartholomew went to India and then
to Ethiopia. Philip went to Carthage, in North Africa. Simon the Zealot was
killed in Persia. Others died in Syria. In their steps, others like Patrick went
to Ireland, where he had been a slave. Columba to Scotland, Aiden to England,
Boniface to Germany, Cyril & Methodius to the Slavs, and down through
history to the current day. Feet made ready by the gospel of peace.
For he himself is
our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the
dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in
ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile
us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And
he came and preached peace to you who
were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have
access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:14-18)
And above all these put on love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony. And let the
peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one
body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching
and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:14-16)
1.
Enter
slowly to prevent misunderstanding. Discalced diplomacy is not a bayonet
charge looking to rout an enemy in a moment of confrontation.
2.
Come
clean, honoring the sacred space to avoid misbehaving. Discalced diplomacy
recognizes engagement as a sacred space and honors it by not polluting it
with bitterness and bias.
3.
Stay long
enough to delve deeper into our respective convictions so that we are not
guilty of misbelieving. Discalced diplomacy doesn’t facilitate a quick
tactical retreat when things get uncomfortable or take longer than we expect.
Now, how do we move forward? How
do we move from encounter to encounter, from one role or project to another? What
kind of “shoes” can we put on that will help us to get traction and provide
sole protection for the journey? The good news is that we don't have to find the shoes that we took off.
In addition to all the other
outwear we will need for the “wilderness trek” through this life, and all the
risks and adventures it contains, God gives us shoes for the journey, the kind
that don’t wear out, “And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness
given by the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)
‘I am the God of your fathers, the
God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare
to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for
the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the
affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I
have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’ (Acts
7:32-34) |
| Bible Reflections.net |
I conclude this post with a shortlist of Bible passages speaking about this “peace”. I think these passages
might be printed inside the shoebox. Take the lid off and check!
From the prophecies in the Old
Testament, such as,
“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
To the beginning of the Gospels, when the old priest Zechariah concludes his prophetic prayer over his infant son John, who
would become known as “the Baptist”,
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most
High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)
While recognizing the unique role
of John the Baptist in preparing for and announcing the presence of the Messiah
to Israel, I think there is ample cause to see his role as typical of that of
all followers of Jesus. We don’t announce damnation, but the good news of
forgiveness and merciful salvation. It is by the light of Christ, the Dayspring
of deliverance, that we can see and follow “into the way of peace.” This is
further described in the Epistles,
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what
is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:17-18)
“So then let us pursue
what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19)
For he himself is
our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the
dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in
ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile
us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And
he came and preached peace to you who
were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have
access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:14-18)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus….What you have learned and
received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:6-7, 9)
While we could do with taking off our
own shoes to engage others for the common good, I am glad we get to put on
something better.
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