This is not the time for unity
Of all the things that could have triggered me on a Facebook feed this week, I was surprised that it was a call for unity that got me. On the surface it seems like a good and reasonable ask. It can even sound spiritual and Christ-like. So what made it feel so wrong in my heart and body? As I reflected on it, I understood what was wrong.
The call for unity wasn’t paired with the work of repair.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’
In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your laborers.Isaiah 58:3
In Isaiah 58, the people are complaining because they have “afflicted their souls” and God seems not to have noticed. Or at least not appreciated them for it in the way they hoped. Why not? The day you “afflict your souls” in the Hebrew calendar is the day of Atonement, which is about much more than a bit of fasting and “affliction."
“Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord… It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.”
Leviticus 23:27, 32
The Day of Atonement isn’t just about being “at-one” with God, it’s about being “at-one” with each other. It is a day of unity, found primarily through all practicing Sabbath — together. (For more confirmation on the thrust of Sabbath being for ALL, see Exodus 20:8-11.). Yet, in Isaiah 58, those in power have been fasting and “afflicting” themselves, while at the same time exploiting their laborers! It’s seems to have become an exercise in missing the point.
When I believe at-one-ment is about just me and God, I may be tempted to try to appease the Divine and hold onto power at the same time. If I think I can do that, then I might also think of unity as something that can be commanded through spiritual bypassing and religiosity. But true unity cannot be commanded. It must be created, through the work of self-sacrifice and communal justice.
There is no at-one-ment for me, unless there is at-one-ment for all of us.
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him”Isaiah 58:6-7
There is no at-one-ment without breaking the yokes of oppression so that all may participate. There is no fast that God chooses unless the extra food is used to feed hungry mouths.
I want to say all this to “the other side.” The “bad guys.” The people who voted for the other person. The people who, in my opinion, have some serious repair work to do for the violent rhetoric that has become the norm. I feel quite justified in that self-righteousness, if I’m honest.
Though it may be true that “the other side” has significant work to do, it’s also true that I have a lot of work to do. If I let my guard down, I hear the words of Jesus speaking to me.
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Matthew 7:2-3
If I don’t believe there can be unity without breaking yokes, then what am I actually going to do about that? Yes I can take space to grieve, but I also need to remember that I am not powerless.
How can I create sanctuary spaces for my LGBTQIA friends and neighbors to feel seen, safe, and beloved?
How can I do advocacy work on behalf of those in our society who don’t have access to sabbath, like the poor and the incarcerated?
How can I be part of breaking the yokes of systematic racism through everyday actions and allyship?
How can I relentlessly work to see the humanity in all those around me, even those I disagree with?
Where is there repair work for me to do?
This is not the time for unity. This is the time for the actions of at-one-ment.
💛 Steph
Want to be part of crafting an at-one-ment space with others? This Wednesday, November 13 is our fall celebration. All are invited to join us for food, conversation, community, and a live podcast recording that will lead us into the Advent season. We will be talking about Elizabeth, a character in the biblical narrative whose name is about the faithfulness of God, but whose life has carried deep pain and disappointment. How might being together and talking about the intersection of hope and grief help all of us right now? Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a range of $0-$10 per person. Invite your friends. All are welcome.
Want to learn more about atonement and wrestle with what you believe? We have a Seven Hours gathering this Friday, November 15 from 9am-4pm focused on the topic of atonement. There are a few spots left an we’d love to have you join us.