We learned yesterday of yet another hate crime in our community. This attack was against a gay man on Toronto Island last weekend. He was taunted and then beaten almost to death by three homophobic people. It took place only hours before the hate filled murder of a Muslim family in London, Ontario. All of this during a pandemic which has given rise to anti-Asian racism. An Asian friend has told me how it is not unusual for people to pass her in the street and offer hate filled slurs. There was a significant rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes in our city in the month of May and we know too well that both the black and indigenous communities are constantly combatting hate and racism.
In a world that doesn’t like talk of sin we must name hate in all its manifestations as nothing less and call the world around in word and deed to love. Science tells us the variations in DNA between all people is so very tiny. We are all part of the same human family. Our faith tells us that each one is created in the image of God and precious in God’s eyes. We are all children of God. Let us put an end to such hatred and let us love one another.
Prayer
Gracious God we pray for this world where fear and hate seem to be speaking so loudly. It is easy to judge and speak against others. Forgive us and open us all in new ways to the light of your love that the shadows in our souls might lose their hold. And so pray in the words of St. Francis…
Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness joy.
O Divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved. as to love
For it’s in giving that we receive
And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born…
To eternal life. Amen.
