"War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children." (Carter’s speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976.)
Given the circumstances of this past week, many Jimmy Carter quotes have been published. When reading this one, I thought of the Sermon on the Mount. I imagined Jesus responding, “But I say to you, until you love and care for every child, there can be no peace in the world nor your heart.”
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
I watched the funeral ceremony televised from the Washington National Cathedral. I listened to all the eulogies offered, some written decades ago. Repeatedly, I had to bring myself back from the politics of the moment and concentrate on the reason for the moment. I was successful - mostly.
I will not go on and on here, although that would be possible. There is much that could be said. I will keep this simple by noting just a few points.
- I learned things about Jimmy Carter that I did not previously know. I will not make him out to be more than he was – he would hate that anyway. Humility was a central value during his life. He knew we were all connected – from small neighborhoods to the global community. He acted in a way that was grace-filled toward everyone.
- Of course, this past week included not just the funeral of a past president. The film coming out of Los Angeles is heartbreaking. I learned something here too. Fires destroy homes perched up in the mountains as we have seen so often. But to imagine (and even with the photos, it is difficult) flames devouring a cityscape is beyond understanding.
- And now I see the flags of two border countries have entered the fray to help. The people of Mexico and Canada have been negatively prevalent in the daily news. Yet, standing by our side, they are willing to leave their families to risk all in fighting a blaze that’s hundreds of miles from their homes. We are not alone, nor should we be.
We have come full circle here. We are not alone in this world as a country, and we are not alone in this world as individuals. We are a collective humanity.
Jesus knows this. Jimmy Carter knew this. The people of Mexico and Canada realize this.
I hope that through lessons of Fire and Funeral, we can learn this too.
