November 14, 2009

• Finding Sanctuary

  In a general sense, the word sanctuary means a safe place.  One of the oldest references to sanctuary in the Judeo-Christian sacred righting refers to cities of sanctuary or refuge.  A person who killed another person could be killed by the dead person’s avenger unless the one who was accused of killing the other went to a city of refuge.  In the city of refuge the one accused of killing another could not be put to death until there was a hearing or the one accused of murder left the city of refuge.  In medieval times this idea of sanctuary was expanded to any altar of the church.  Anyone pursued by authorities could not be harmed or imprisoned if they could reach the church and touch the altar.  Eventually the area around the altar was referred to as sanctuary.  In modern times, some churches and communities have adopted the concept of sanctuary and provide safe places for persons who are pursued by immigration authorities to be sent back to their country of citizenship.  These churches and communities believe some people deserve to be protected from their governments due to the government’s policies of oppression.  We have also applied the word sanctuary to other parts of God’s creation.  We have created wildlife sanctuaries and plant sanctuaries where endangered species are provided a safe place to live and reproduce.  While not everyone who believes in creating sanctuaries, has a belief in a divine presence in the world, the root meaning for the sanctuary is the same as for sanctify, or to make sacred.  Sanctuary, at its core, means a safe place due to the presence of the Divine.

   

  Over the course of human history, sanctuary became associated with particular places.  People and animals found sanctuary by reaching a designated place where they would be safe as a result of God’s decree.  The Temple became a place of sanctuary where the faithful would come to seek God’s protection and favour.  The alien, the outlaw, the childless, the marginalized of all sorts came to the temple to seek God’s protection, guidance and favour.  Because the temple was understood to be the access point for God’s care, those who managed the Temple became very powerful.  The temple priests controlled the people by controlling their connection with God and thereby their peace of mind.  Some priests, being humans, would abuse this power and would exploit the people.  The temple became not a safe place but a den of thieves.  Jesus came to change the understanding of sanctuary.  Jesus said the temple would be destroyed as a brick and stone structure and would be replaced with his resurrection.  His death would tear the current in the temple and all would have free access to God and therefore to sanctuary.  We are able to find our sanctuary anywhere, as long as we sense we are in the protective embrace of God.

   

  Because we worship in this space is not enough to make it sanctuary.  Calling this church and doing religious rituals here does not make this sanctuary.  I like to use the analogy that coming here and sitting in this space doesn’t make you Christ like anymore than sitting in a garage will make you a car.  This space is sanctuary only in as much as we make it safe space by treating each other in Christ like ways.  Making this space and this community sanctuary for us will require we think about our words and actions and ask ourselves whether they promote safety and well-being for others or will they cause wounds and discomfort for them.  One of the clearest behaviours I see when I look at the life of Jesus was one of dealing directly with people and not sharing their stories with others.  I can find no example of Jesus asking one of the disciples to tell another one that Jesus was displeased with them.  I do not read where Jesus invites the disciples to pray for Judas because he is being tempted to stray or for Peter because he is too head strong.  Jesus doesn’t go about telling others about the woman caught in adultery and how he prayed for her and turned her life around.  There are examples of Jesus speaking directly to a disciple, a follower, or a religious leader and telling them how they have missed the mark, but he does not condemn them or tell them not to come around again until they are able to think and behave appropriately.  We will find our sanctuary when we develop a Christ like walk with God and we will create sanctuary for each other when we learn to see each other the way Jesus did and the way God sees us.  Amen.

  • 9:32 pm
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