I believe that one of the roots of racism and prejudice is the inherent idea that the “other” is less and can be treated as less. I think this is the original sin of our country. For me, this sin is rooted in a failure to see the Image of God in each and EVERY person. This sin is rooted in our failure to love one another – even our enemies.

This book, “Costly Love” is a good book written by a friend, John Armstrong, who has walked a similar journey as me. In chapter 5 John reminds us of the words of Luther – “From faith flows forth love and joy in the Lord, and from love, a cheerful, willing, free spirit, disposed to serve our neighbor voluntarily, without taking any account of ingratitude, praise or blame, gain or loss.”

He employs a metaphor from De Mello who maintained that a holy and loving person is like a rose. “Have you ever heard a rose say, “I am going to give my fragrance only to good people who smell like me, and I am going to deny my perfume to evil people? No, it is the very nature of the rose to spread fragrance.”

Paul talks to us of spreading the fragrance of Christ with similar ideas in mind. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the essential question is “Who is my neighbor” or perhaps better – “To whom am I being a neighbor?” The challenge, according to N.T. Wright is clear: Will you recognize everyone is your neighbor and then respond with true, unconditional and costly love?