Healing Hate

“Shoes on the Danube Bank”

Budapest, Hungary

"The composition titled 'Shoes on the Danube Bank' gives remembrance to the people ( mainly Budapest jews ) shot into the Danube during the time of the Arrow Cross terror. The sculptor created sixty pairs of period-appropriate shoes out of iron. The shoes are attached to the stone embankment, and behind them lies a 40 meter long, 70 cm high stone bench. At three points are cast iron signs, with the following text in Hungarian, English, and Hebrew: "To the memory of the victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944–45. Erected 16 April 2005."[

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35 (NIV)

It happened on the same river that we were enjoying.  We were docked 100 meters from the “Shoes”.  We saw the remains of hate.  We have seen those remains again and again where hate becomes the command.  So besides erecting memorials what are we called to do!  The idea that remembering the tragedies will prevent them from reoccurring seems to be false given recent events.  Where is that balm in Gilead?  Can anger and hate be healed?  

Upon returning, I was informed that our church was reading Jim Wallis’s book, America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America.  There are multiple actions that are recommended in response.  The larger answer is that we must be the community of faith that witnesses to the larger truth of  being God’s children.  It is the Church’s witness of God’s response to the weeping of His children that brings healing and comfort to the grieving.

My personal answer is that I must confess my own quickness to hate, frustration and anger.  As Christians we are called to be bearers of the cross that represents our sins and ask again and  again for forgiveness.  The good news is that is where we meet Christ’s Love that promises a new heaven and a new earth.  

Thanks be to God for the gift of healing that first comes with a Love from above.

Marvin

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoes_on_the_Danube_Bank

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2015/06/well-being.html

Wallis, J. (2016). America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America. Brazos Press.

The Search for Healing

Statue of Saints Cosmas (l) and Damian (r) with Christ (c) on the Charles Bridge

Prague, Czech Republic, 1709

The Patron Saints of Physicians

I just returned from a river cruise that ended in Prague.  We were taken to the famous Charles Bridge and during a brief stop, I found I was standing beneath a statue that speaks to the basis of healing across the centuries.  I almost missed it given all the beautiful architecture on a bright and sunny day in Prague.

What was impressive to me are the continued challenges to healing given the difficult history of the region. We had the opportunity to hear from a volunteer who aided refugees in Hungary.  We visited a school for the Roma people. There have been and are real challenges to the people of this region.  

The modern story of the search for healing also came unexpectedly from our guide, Peter Nagy who wrote, The Way Out.  It is ten short stories that address the modern dilemmas and meaning of life.  It was a wonderful way to hear the challenges from a young searcher.  It was a wonderful way to connect the dots of the past and present.

Marvin

References:

http://www.praha.eu/jnp/en/about_prague/past_and_future/present_day_prague/cosmas_and_damian_return_to_charles.html

Hurst J. A modern Cosmas and Damian: Sir Roy Calne and Thomas Starzl receive the 2012 Lasker~Debakey Award. Journal of Clinical Investigation.  122(10):3378-82, 2012 Oct.

https://www.gct.com/

http://www.peternagybooks.com/