Thought for the week: In Christianity, there is always a common denominator
And yet, occasionally, there are chinks of hope. On Saturday August 31 last, the Royal Black Institution had its annual 'Last Saturday' August parade. On reading social media, I learned that when the Shankill Star flute band was making its way down Upper Donegall Street, Belfast before heading to the Holywood demonstration, they saw a funeral hearse outside St Patrick’s Roman Catholic church. The band immediately stopped playing, members removed their caps, and walked quietly past.
What is important is that it was noticed. The daughter of the deceased lady, Orlaigh, wrote on Facebook commending the band: “This was my mother’s funeral, and honestly, it meant the world to us to see the respect from your band towards us at our most difficult time. For that, from the bottom of our hearts, we can only thank you and praise you for this. My mum was a wonderful woman who had respect and time for everyone, this was a lovely gesture.”
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Hide AdReflecting on this, I was reminded of words written by St Paul: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is writing to Christians from different ethnic backgrounds and circumstances that often divided them, insisting that their common denominator must be Jesus Christ.
If we are genuinely committed to Christ, we should see people differently. It is all about knowing Him and living by His standards of love and respect for all, setting aside all forms of sectarianism and racism. As for the Shankill band, they might never know what that small gesture will accomplish!