Luke Pearson

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago, I was drawn to a magazine article entitled, "Guns Down", by Ian Frazier from April’s edition of The New Yorker. My heart broke when I read on the title page that forty thousand people a year die of gun violence in the United States, and I was determined to learn why the number of shooting deaths have been rising in this country.

The article’s focus was on Shaina Harrison, an anti-gun activist who works for a non-profit called New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, or N.Y.A.G.V. This organization’s goal is to imbue itself within the New York City community, and teach individuals how to change their perception about guns and about each other. For almost a decade, N.Y.A.G.V. has sent Harrison to numerous New York City High Schools. There, she can try to promote her organization's mission while engaging with the students to hear their stories and concerns. Harrison would always begin each class by reminding the class that this was both a “safe space” as well as a "brave space”.

During one of her classes she asked her students to take out a pen and a piece of paper, and told them that they were going to play a game called Two Truths and a Lie. The game was simple. All they had to do was write down two things about themselves that were true and one that was a lie, and the class would try to find out which was the lie. For example, a girl stated that she liked her English Language Arts class, she was nice, and she spoke four languages. The class couldn’t fathom the idea of their peers knowing four languages, so they believed that that was a lie. The class was mistaken; she spoke French, English, and two African languages, Fulani and Susu.

Overall, the purpose of this game was to teach the class about the negative impacts of stereotyping other individuals. Harrison stated, “I’m pushing you guys to look at your stereotypes. I want you to notice how sometimes you don’t really see other people, how you stereotype them, and how they stereotype you. How does stereotyping lead to gun violence? Because it makes us feel that we are unsafe, and that we don’t know each other.” (Frazier, Ian. “Guns Down” The New Yorker, April 5, 2021, page 40-41).

In today’s Gospel we see the stereotyping of others through the Pharisee and the Anointed Woman. A Pharisee invites Jesus to eat with him, and a woman from the city, who Saint Luke describes as a sinner, hears that Jesus is there and brings a jar of alabaster ointment. The woman begins to cry and wash Christ’s feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. She also kisses his feet while using the ointment to anoint them. Simon the Pharisee sees this happening and says to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him - that she is a sinner. He is stereotyping and judging this woman based on her previous sins. However, Jesus' response to Simon is incredible. He does not condemn or punish Simon for his doubts and judgments. Instead, Jesus invites him into conversation and teaches him about the power of forgiveness through the parable of the two debtors. Furthermore, he calls Simon by name, and by doing this, Christ acknowledges that Simon is not just a Pharisee but a child of God. Therefore, Jesus shows Simon that he should not be stereotyping others, as Christ did not stereotype and judge him. Simon must recognize the woman's humanity and show her great love through forgiveness.

When we create a place of inclusion rooted in love and forgiveness of one another, we as children of God are creating a safe space. When we recognize our own brokenness and sin, and choose to heal that brokenness through building community with others, we as children of God are creating a brave space. Finally, when we love each other greatly, and cry out to be by our Savior’s feet, we as children of God are creating a faithful space. By knowing each other better, we know God better, and through God’s grace we are all forgiven. Jesus knows that we all have the power to change the way we see the world and see each other. Therefore, let us create spaces not filled with hate or devastation, but of love and restoration.

Best,

Luke Pearson