Midweek Musing- 7/24/2024

So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”— a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands — remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone; in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Ephesians 2:11-22 NRSVUE

According to the story I came across recently, Joe was a white taxi driver in New York in the 1950s.

So, I have only been to the Big Apple a couple of times but what I remember even though it was several years ago now was New York taxicab drivers are more than a little bit aggressive. And this crazy crash-test-dummy type of driving was even more true in the 50s from what I have been told.

One day, according to a New York Times reporter, a crazy cab driver named Joe ran into the back of another vehicle as he was whipping down 5th Avenue. The driver of the vehicle he hit was an African-American man named Bill who was driving a delivery truck. The damage wasn’t serious, but Joe jumped out of his cab and began to berate Bill with loud, threatening bigoted language, blaming him (by using a derogatory term) for the accident.

A NYC patrolman named John Walsh came upon the scene quickly and arrested Joe for disorderly conduct. Bill was given a summons to come to the court as a material witness.

A week or so later when the case was called to the courthouse Joe had calmed down and was ready to plead guilty.

“I admit I was wrong,” he said to the judge. “But please know I’m a good family man. I have a wife and kids at home.”

“Be more careful in the future and also keep a hold of your temper,” the magistrate warned him. “Ten dollars or three days in jail.”

Joe was shocked. “I don’t have that kind of money. I guess I’ll have to go to jail.”

Then Bill, who had been both a witness and a victim stepped up to the defense table and handed Joe a $20 bill.

“You don’t have to do that,” the judge said.

“I know, your honor, but I want to do it. My faith calls me to forgive.” Bill answered.

“If you indeed feel that way,” the judge said, “I’ll suspend sentence. I certainly don’t want it to cost you the money. Sir, this is a wonderful act of kindness to complete this story!”

Joe was even more amazed at Bill’s action. “Thank you so much,” he said. “You really are a swell fellow! (Swell fellow is a 1950s term for cool dude.)

“In fact, it is obvious you are a really good guy. I would like to get to know you. Can we get a cup of coffee?”

Bill nodded in the affirmative. And with that the two left the courtroom together.

The passage at the beginning of this musing is from the section of the letter where Paul addresses the Gentile members of the church at Ephesus. He is reminding them of their former alienation from the covenants and promises given to Israel. He describes the relationship between Jews and gentiles as a "wall of hostility." But he also declares this wall has been broken down through Christ’s sacrificial death, which reconciles all to God and unites us together in one body we call the church.

The imagery of Gentiles being "strangers and aliens" who are now "fellow citizens with the saints" underscores the inclusive vision of the new community formed in Christ. This unity is further symbolized by the metaphor of a building, with Christ as the cornerstone.

Of Christ, Paul says, “It is he who is our peace, who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart.”

Paul was speaking of Christ as the reconciler of Jew and Gentile in the Redemption. But it is also Christ who in the spirit of love brings all people together. Even a white cabdriver and a black truck driver in the Big Apple.

May we live in light of this love given by our God.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Alleluia Amen.