Andrew Jowers: 'The Beloved Community - We have come a distance'

I will begin this article with a passage from the Beatitudes, attributed to the Apostle Matthew, who served as publican or tax collector before Jesus called him. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house, St. Matthew 5:14-15.”

Why do I offer the words of the Apostle Matthew? The answer is simple, we need them! First, we need them because we live in an age of unprecedented change with rapidly technological advancement. Second, we need them because we face an ever-changing global pandemic. Third, we need them because America has huge divisions in the public sphere with social unrest and anxiety paralyzing the citizenry with fear that threaten all that we hold dear.

The title of this article, “The Beloved Community-We have come a distance”, are the words of Congressman John Robert Lewis who served Georgia’s 5th Congressional District from 1987-2020. Congressman Lewis shared these words in an interview with Krista Tippett, July 5, 2016. He said, “In the religious sense, in the moral sense, you can say that in the bosom of every human being, there is a spark of the divine. So, you don’t have a right as a human to abuse that spark of the divine in your fellow human being. Congressman John Lewis let his light shine near and far.

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Listen to these words delivered in a Lecture April 17, 2000, titled, “Struggling toward the Beloved Community.” Congressman Lewis gave an awesome remembrance of, Paul B. Henry, a Republican colleague who served Michigan’s 3rd District in the US House of Representatives from 1985-1993. “Congressman Lewis stated that, 'Paul Henry symbolized the very best of a Christian engaged in public affairs.'” In my opinion, both Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Paul Henry believed in and lived the beloved community.

Dr. Paul Henry, formerly an associate professor of political science at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the author of, “Politics for Evangelicals,” published by Christian Century, Nov. 23, 1977. Dr. Henry offered these powerful words on the topic of Love.“I have suggested that love is voluntary and freely given; that since it involves moral volition, it must be personally mediated; that love is sacrificial, and thus limited to the extent to which an individual is capable of personally absorbing the consequences of its acts; and finally, that love extends beyond duty or moral obligation (implying that it must first fulfill moral obligation or duty). Love, while rejecting power and going beyond the rights and duties established by justice, establishes a will for justice and a moral motivation which crowns the just act.”

I whole heartily agree with both Congressman Paul Henry and Congressman John Lewis words and am genuinely challenged. Each day, I want to be better and do better but it’s only possible through genuine faith. A faith free of selfishness, greed, intolerance, and bias toward others. Let’s consider the challenge given in St. Matthew’s Beatitudes. “Do not hide your light under a basket, but instead put it on a lamp stand.” Share your light with others, especially those in this collective house of America. Let me point you to one of our most enduring treasurers, liberty. In most public governmental sessions, people are asked to stand and quote the Pledge of Allegiance especially.

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Consider if you will its closing words, “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” These are not just idle words. They point to a higher authority and purpose. These words create the foundation of the beloved community. We indeed have come a distance, but there is still ground yet untraveled, ground yet un-tilled.

Listen to this quote by Edgar Guest, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” Again, let’s consider Dr. Paul Henry's challenge to evangelical Protestantism to exemplify love, power, and justice. Here is my challenge to those of genuine faith: those whom the father has called from darkness into Christ’s marvelous light. Stand up and let your light shine. Volunteer, get in involved, share your gifts and your treasure. Our schools need to see your light; our neighborhoods need to see your light; our city and state need your light. Most of all, our nation and the world need to see and feel your light.

Andrew Jowers is a minister in Galesburg. He contributes to the Many Paths column for the last year.

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Quoting John Lewis in discussing Galesburg IL community