Dear Editor,
Anglican priest Sean Major-Campbell has managed to become an example of Christianity that is not fearful of welcoming and appreciating all lives.
Frankly, the Christian community was in need of this radical act of kindness. Too often, the Church has exiled those it deems greater sinners into otherness. In recent times, a steadfast moral war had been declared on persons who see and engage life differently, and the Bible used as the assault weapon. Such a valiant act against the politics of exclusionary Christianity is equally as memorable and refreshing. It says there is hope.
Still, persons contend that Major-Campbell had no right including those women in what they describe as a believer's rite. But, the beginning of that ritual was anything but conventional in itself. Jesus performed an act that was typically the responsibility of a lowly servant on his disciples. Like those who have protested today, one disciple did speak out against Jesus washing his feet. Then something amazing happened -- a lesson on humility and community was taught. Prior to that the disciples were, in fact, arguing about whom among them was greater, and Jesus denounced this. It is this practice of placing different values on different lives based on subjective moral codes that blinds those who see an act of love and respect for humanity as one of ambush or betrayal. The various arguments used to justify the 'us and them' binary and why feet washing should not have been performed on those individuals are no different from arguments used to justify other systems of oppression and separation. Beneath the social labels of lesbian and transgender are individuals deserving of visibility and kindness. We are all one.
Yohan Lee
St Andrew
yohan.s.r.lee@live.com
Radical act of kindness
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Anglican priest Sean Major-Campbell has managed to become an example of Christianity that is not fearful of welcoming and appreciating all lives.
Frankly, the Christian community was in need of this radical act of kindness. Too often, the Church has exiled those it deems greater sinners into otherness. In recent times, a steadfast moral war had been declared on persons who see and engage life differently, and the Bible used as the assault weapon. Such a valiant act against the politics of exclusionary Christianity is equally as memorable and refreshing. It says there is hope.
Still, persons contend that Major-Campbell had no right including those women in what they describe as a believer's rite. But, the beginning of that ritual was anything but conventional in itself. Jesus performed an act that was typically the responsibility of a lowly servant on his disciples. Like those who have protested today, one disciple did speak out against Jesus washing his feet. Then something amazing happened -- a lesson on humility and community was taught. Prior to that the disciples were, in fact, arguing about whom among them was greater, and Jesus denounced this. It is this practice of placing different values on different lives based on subjective moral codes that blinds those who see an act of love and respect for humanity as one of ambush or betrayal. The various arguments used to justify the 'us and them' binary and why feet washing should not have been performed on those individuals are no different from arguments used to justify other systems of oppression and separation. Beneath the social labels of lesbian and transgender are individuals deserving of visibility and kindness. We are all one.
Yohan Lee
St Andrew
yohan.s.r.lee@live.com
Radical act of kindness
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