This past week I got an email which simply said, "This is awesome!" I had the time so I thought I would take a look. At first, it seemed like a nice momentary diversion, another internet visual novelty, but upon reflection the theological significance hit me, and even more so the human significance. Liu Bolin is a Chinese artist who paints himself into scenes with such amazing ability he virtually disappears. You really have to look to see him. Awesome! (For more images: Liu Bolin ~ The Invisible Man)
Our world is full of “invisible people.” They, however, don't paint themselves so as to become invisible, we just don't see them. They're the wrong color, the wrong socioeconomic class, the wrong sexual orientation, the wrong ethnic group. They're not pretty or they're poor. They're dirty or just different. Whatever they are...they're not us. They're not something we really want to see, and if we don't see them we can convince ourselves that they don't exist. But, if we do see them, then we must admit they exist. And, if we admit they exist, then what? Ah…there’s the rub! What will this mean for me?
It means that I may have to do something. If I admit that I see the "invisible person" and admit they exist -- then what? What is my responsibility for my newly discovered, sister or brother? If I really see the poor, what does that mean? If I really see the hungry, what does that mean? If I really see the immigrant, what does that mean?
If I really see the “other,” my neighbor, what does that mean?
Invisible people are everywhere! But, do we see them? Do we want to see them? For if we see them, we acknowledge they exist. And, if we acknowledge they exist we cannot ignore them. As people of faith, we believe that ALL people are created in image of God. We are ALL children of God and though we may deem some in our society as invisible, no one is invisible to God.
As Episcopalians in our Baptismal Covenant we profess that we are to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and we are to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. These are not uniquely Christian values. They are, however, essential human values at the heart of a humane and just world.
Keep your eyes open, my sisters and brothers. Invisible people are everywhere, children of the living God --- God’s sees them, do we? God loves them, do we? God is willing to give everything for them, are we?
Peace,
Paul+
Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
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