what is inclusive (reminder to self)

What is “inclusive”?

The most inclusive community I have been privileged to be a part of is one in which brokenness is most up front and obvious.  It is the faith community of the mentally disabled as I have encountered it in L’arche.  What makes for inclusiveness?  True Christian inclusiveness admits two things:  an acceptance and profound awareness that each human being bears the image of God, and an acceptance and awareness that each human being lives with a brokenness which can only be healed by the person of Jesus Christ.

If we take the first thing seriously, we cannot but offer that reassuring truth to each human being we meet.  To see another human being is to see that which is nearer to myself than anything else in creation.  A fellow human being is the most glorious thing I will encounter outside of God.  I have more in common with a fellow human being than with anything else in the universe.  I am kindred to every person.  That is the beauty of the faith community of L’arche.

We need also to take the second point seriously.  For that is the heart of the Christian faith.  True Christian community happens when we acknowledge our brokenness before God and one another, and and are centred around Jesus.  The most fully inclusive Christian community I have been a part of is one where brokenness is most acknowledged and lived with and through.

Lift high the Cross.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Beautifully said, Joe.
I also assume you're referring to the real "Lift High The Cross" and not the pale re-writing in the new hymnal...

[shirley perry]

Powerful. Thanks for the reminder. We sure do miss you at Sol Cafe!!!!
love Shirley

[Dr. Mabuse]

Well said. It can be liberating in a way to be able to openly accept brokenness, instead of trying to fake a wholeness that isn't there. My own kids are developmentally disabled, and there's no point even trying to cover it up or pretend that the only problem is that other people won't admit that they're normal. They are who they are. Limited and hedged in by their disability, but still strangely wonderful and lovable.