The events of the last few weeks have turned my attention to Dorothy Day. Her autobiography, The Long Loneliness, remains one of the most important books on the Christian faith that I have read in the last decade. As a Presbyterian pastor, I am a little surprised that I would be moved by one of the founders of the Catholic Worker Movement. Nonetheless, I am forever grateful to Jim Moore for introducing me to this woman of faith.
In 1906 when she was only 8 years old, Dorothy Day experienced the San Francisco earthquake while living across the bay in Oakland. There, in the midst of the destruction, she experienced compassion. People were giving clothes, making food, and sharing their possessions. Dorothy Day wrote, “It was as though they were united in Christian solidarity. It makes one think of how people could, if they would, care for each other in times of stress, unjudgingly in pity and love.” This experience was formative for her. It gave her a glimpse of God’s Kingdom.
Watching the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey reminded me of Dorothy Day’s glimpse. From the media coverage, I saw the man from Texas City launching his fishing boat into the flood waters declaring to the reporter, “I am going to try to save some lives.” I saw the volunteer who is leading a crew in Houston who stated, “It’s just the way I was raised up. Everybody else comes before me.” Again and again, people are doing the hard work of helping strangers, sacrificing for the sake of others.
Notice the contrast between what we saw in Charlottesville where pointy-headed idiots spouted hate and vitriol and clashed violently in the streets. I’m sure that not all the hurricane volunteers agree on every issue. I bet they are as divided as the rest of America is. However, when faced with great need, the divisions and differences melted away. They found common cause in love for neighbor.
Who is my neighbor? Jesus suggested that for the man hurting and beaten on the side of the road, his neighbor was one who acted in compassion. It didn’t matter his background, his ethnicity or even his theology. Jesus’ message for us is clear, “Go and do likewise.”
Pastor 139 