Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7
STORY
Frederick Douglass approached the front door of the White House, seeking admission into Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball. Just as Douglass was about to knock on the door, two policemen seized him, barring the black man’s entrance. Douglass, a large, powerful man, brushed the officers aside and stepped into the foyer. Once inside, two more officers grabbed the uninvited guest, all the while uttering racial derogatory comments. As Douglass was being dragged from the hall, he cried to a nearby patron, “Just say to Mr. Lincoln that Fred Douglass is at the door!” Confusion ensued.
Then suddenly the officers received orders to usher Douglass into the East Room. In that beautiful room, the great abolitionist stood in the presence of the esteemed President. The place quieted as Lincoln approached his newly arrived guest, hand outstretched in greeting, and speaking in a voice loud enough so none could mistake his intent, the President announced, “Here comes my friend Douglass.”
THOUGHTS
Our reading for today speaks about how we are to be in a loving relationship with others. Our acceptance of others must transgress all social boundaries. This means that we must be aware of our prejudices, as we cannot allow an individual’s race, sex, sexual orientation, social status, economic placement, age, religious beliefs, or disability hinder our acceptance of him or her. This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Disciples are loving, self-sacrificing, accepting, and forgiving.
I credit my father for helping me overcome my prejudices, though I know that I have not been completely liberated from such thoughts. I grew up in Lorain, Ohio, which was a mill town. The income for the city came from a steel mill, a truck assembly plant, a ship yard, and a gypsum mine. It was a city composed of two races, two religions, two political parties, two distinct income groups, and two segregated geographic regions. I can assure you that these cultures never interacted. Over the years, in so many little ways, my father demonstrated to me acceptance of these cultural differences. I am not sure that I could even highlight one particular incident, it was just dad’s continual life orientation. I consider this to be one of the one of the most important things that my father taught me.