From “Legacy: Wisdom of African Traditions and the Bible” by Chris Morehouse; forward by Therese Taylor-Stinson
It is better to build bridges than walls.
-Swahili (Kenya and Tanzania)
Compare to the following:
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.
-Ephesians 2:14
Commentary and Study Guide
Blessed are the reconcilers! Blessed are they who build bridges instead of walls! It is very easy for us human beings to build our own dividing walls of hostility, separating ourselves from other individuals, communities, and nations. It is far more difficult to reach out beyond those walls of mistrust, resentment, and bitterness. It takes courage to have that kind of hope. Yet the bravest reconcilers among us have devoted years, sometimes decades, to that necessary work.
The difficult work of reconciliation in South Africa was undertaken by a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which from 1995 to 2002 heard from twenty-one thousands victims of that country’s vicious system of apartheid, investigating human rights abuses from 1960 to 1994. The commission’s landmark work facilitated the nation’s transition to democracy and inspired similar efforts worldwide. At the very heart of this work was the concept of ubuntu, of recognizing the humanity of others, even those whose acts of violence bore witness to their failure to see the humanity of others. According to Thobile Mkhize, the work of reconciliation remains unfinished because the practice of ubuntu during the commission’s proceedings was not mutual, as it should have and could have been. She noted that the victims were expected to demonstrate ubuntu, but the perpetrators were not. Although the South African context is distinct, one is reminded how often those from marginalized communities are called on to extend grace and forbearance without reciprocation.
Yet reconciliation remains essential to our future. We can’t engage in reconciliation if we demonize and mock the other side. We can’t do it and cling to the small satisfaction of our hostilities. We can respect our differences and yet honor others as beloved children of God. That is what Jesus did. He reached out to members of communities that were deeply mistrusted: think of the Syro-Phoenician and Samaritan women, whose cultures and faith traditions were suspect. Indeed, think of the ROman centurion and the tax collector – the very agents of oppression! It didn’t matter. He ministered to all. Opposites – or what we think of as opposites – are reconciled in Christ. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, there is no Jew or Greek, no slave or free, even no male or female, for all are one in Christ. May it be so.
Questions for Discussion and Study
- Bridge-building, even between two individuals, can be hard work. Have you ever engaged in bridge-building? What lessons did you learn that you can share?
- Bridge-building across larger groups – communities and nations – can be even harder. Yet some bridge-builders emerge from that work, with all its pitfalls and even failures, without bitterness. What can we learn from them?
- How can we engage in bridge-building between groups where the differentials of power, oppression, and harm have been significant?