12. Change the Story, Change the World

Humanity is rising and resisting the old story of separation, and embracing the new story of the collective, the desire to include everyone, because everyone is part of the divine family and there are no exceptions, and certainly no hierarchical form of governance based on something so seemingly random as the colour of one’s skin. But we are a long way off from realizing this dream, and there is much work to be done to break down old thinking, old prejudices, old fears, binary ways of being that like to divide and conquer. 

Christianity itself is deeply compromised by racism, white washing a Mediterranean Jewish man into an Italian/Swedish composite that removed his naturally dark skin to present something somehow deemed more appealing. We have prostituted our faith in such deep and irretrievable ways, it is no wonder that Christendom has collapsed upon itself, and we are weakened. But to be humbled is the beginning of renewal.

So, let us be humbled. Let us be quieted, let us be still, and let us leave behind all that Christendom claimed as truth and retreat to that singular figure who represented all that we have come to disregard. Let us return to the bosom of our faith, which is neither doctrine nor tradition nor history nor memory but to the one with whom it all began. 

“Three officers stood silent
while a fourth killed a helpless man, slowly.
Centurions at the crucifixion.

To kill, all we have to do is stand silent.
The killing is already going on.
All we have to do is stand by. Stay silent.

Don’t raise your voice.
Don’t protest.
Don’t question what happens.

Don’t object when the Emperor desecrates the holy place.
Don’t defy the secret police.
Don’t cry out. Don’t disrupt.

That’s all you have to do to abet the killing. Stay silent.
The killing will go on, just fine.
Thank you for your cooperation.

Unless you would like your own cross
to bear. Unless you would stand with the man
with the crown of thorns.

Unless you wish to take your faith that seriously
in these serious times.
Unless in you the Holy Spirit is already crying out.

Unless in this kingdom of death you would be resurrected.
Unless you have already died and your life is hidden in Christ.
Unless in you life is stronger than death, love is stronger than fear.”

— Unfolding Light, Steve Garnaas-Holmes