Seeing the Face of Christ in Our World--Thursday, March 29

Romans 12:9-18

⁹Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹²Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. ¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

When I was the age of six and a half, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and my father, being an active duty Coast Guard officer was one of the very first to take the counter attack into the Pacific at a small island called Guadalcanal.  Soon we were also at war with Germany.  Evil was personified in the face of Hideki Tojo and Adolph Hitler, the leaders of the nations of Japan and Germany.  Every form of communication to the people of the United States characterized the Japanese soldiers as bucktoothed slant eyed little monkeys and the German soldiers as cruel brutes goose stepping their way across the bodies of helpless civilians.  We were taught to hate both nations.

Ultimately, the Allies were able to defeat both nations but not before great desolation had been wrought on their cities and civilian populations.  However, in an unprecedented decision, the United States launched a program of immediate aid for the wretched defeated people of both nations, helping to rebuild their societies.  Retribution was directed only to the leaders of this great evil, but kindness and pity was directed to the suffering civilian populations.  Defeated Japanese and German soldiers were released to return to what remained of their homes.  Indeed, many American soldiers, that served as an occupying army involved with the rebuilding of the defeated nations, returned with wives from the former enemy counties.

Truly, this was a remarkable and noble instance of where pity and love replaced hate.  This has resulted in enduring friendship and peace between our nation and Japan and Germany even though we are competitors for markets and resources.

Ted Holtzman

For reflection:

Where do you see expressions of compassion and aid on the world stage today?

How does your faith inform your appreciation for diverse nations and ways of life?

Paul says, “(So) far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.”  What can you do to promote peaceful living?