Dear friends in Christ,
One of the phrases that Presiding Bishop Curry repeated during his visit to our diocese was “mind the gap.” The phrase is from England’s underground transit system – the “Tube”- which warns passengers to watch out for the gap between the platform and the train as they are embarking and disembarking. Our Presiding Bishop used it to highlight results from recent Ipsos research data that shows the gap between the high percentage of people who believe that Jesus is a spiritual figure worth listening to and a much lower percentage who believe religion is good for the country.
His emphasis on this gap reminds me of his earlier message that focused on “Reclaiming Jesus.” I remember reading his words of encouragement and clarity about being Jesus’ followers. I remember the powerful video he filmed along with Christian leaders of other denominations, all emphasizing the need to reclaim Jesus from judgmental and harmful images promoted by many church communities. It was exciting and liberating to be a priest leading a congregation with the powerful and life-giving language he’d given us.
During his visit to the Diocese of Oregon, Bishop Curry has now given us, in addition to liberating language, a charge to practice using this language in our daily lives. “Mind the gap” invites us to reflect on the ways that we remain quiet about our faith and how it calls us to follow Jesus’ example even as we are actively engaged in feeding, healing, and comforting the afflicted.
His challenge urges us to bridge the gap between the “how” of our serving others and the “why.” What is the difference between any humanitarian non-profit organization feeding the hungry and that of our congregations’ feeding ministries? What is it about Jesus that calls us, inspires us, energizes us, and compels us to help others even when it is hard, tiring, frightening, and lonely? In what ways do Jesus’ teachings guide us to forgive in the face of angry threats (“Your church attracts scary people, and now the residents in the neighborhood have guns for protection”)? Even more, how do we talk about Jesus and the ways he forms us to serve others, to move through the world in peace, and to love even when it is scary?
According to Ipsos, over 80% of respondents believe that Jesus is a spiritual figure worth listening to. But less than 40% believe religion is good for the country. The gap is calling us to find ways that we can talk about and share how our faith in a loving, liberating, life-giving God calls us to serve those in need.
Truly, by minding the gap, we are stepping into the new thing that God is calling us into in these times. We are entering into deeper formation in the body of Christ by demonstrating our faith with words alongside acts that are loving and reconciling rather than judgmental and arrogant.
It is time for us to take this next step. It is our calling: to announce the Good News while rolling up our sleeves. As Presiding Bishop Curry is fond is saying in his blessings: God love you. Love God. Love your neighbor. And while you’re at it, love yourself.
Blessings,
