Martin Buber, an early twentieth-century Jewish theologian, dedicated his life to understanding relationships. He saw two distinct types—experiences (I-It) and encounters (I-Thou). In I-It relationships we treat people as objects. In I-Thou relationships we see the other as a beloved child of God.
I-It relationships can make us feel demoralized, disem-
powered, misunderstood, and unworthy. I-Thou relationships offer honor, respect, empowerment, and hope.
Jesus reminds us that learning how to love is our life’s work. Through his life and ministry, Jesus shaped people in I-Thou relationships while living in the middle of an empire of I-It relationships. The commandment to love God and neighbor may seem like dropping a pebble in a ocean, but the cumulative effect of the ripples is never-ending.
My teacher friend, Bill, was in a hardware store when he locked eyes with one of the store employees. The young man did a double take and then approached Bill saying, “Do you remember me?” Bill said, “I think I was your third-grade teacher.” The young man nodded and then told Bill the story of how important Bill had made this immigrant boy feel by asking him to lead the class one day. As Bill welled up sharing this story with me he said, “You just never know the impact that we have on each other. I don’t even remember that day, but this boy still carries it in his heart.”
A smile, a hug, deep listening, caring for the earth, being kind and respectful of others—all these simple acts create a ripple of unfolding love in our families and communities to the ends of the earth. To love others remains a radical witness of Christ in the world, for God dwells not only in Christ but also in each and every single human being. No exceptions.