"I saw you all right. They wouldn't believe me. They're all so-"
From somewhere deep inside Aslan's body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl...
"I'm sorry," said Lucy...."But it wasn't my fault anyway, was it?"
The Lion looked straight into her eyes.
..."You don't mean it was?....But what would have been the good?"
Aslan said nothing.
We all like to blame others for not doing the right thing. "Others are to blame for the world we have," we tend to think; but this short scene explains it all.
For me - this exchange is the culmination of all seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia. In this particular scene: There were many in danger from a ruler who was afraid of the differences of non-humans. A few were called. The smallest one saw the path they were to take to save those who had been oppressed by a ruler and his followers. No one believed the smallest; therefore, instead of doing what was right, the small one went along with the rest...to everyone's peril.
I see this over and over in churches particularly. There are followers of Jesus' teachings but they do not speak out or go apart to do the right thing...they don't lead.
I listen to sermons and I, too, do not stand up and say, "WHOA! That's not what Jesus said. Aren't we to include, not exclude? Aren't we to work for true justice? How are we following the Prince of Peace as we do nothing to stop the violence? Aren't we to love?"
Or I've listened to more sermons than I care to where the moment of truth is right there....within reach...but missed as the pastor tries not ruffle feathers...caring more about the budget than justice.
Or I've bitten my tongue so many times with family, friends, volunteers or even my own community to not blatantly offend...and some of you don't believe that, I know! 😃 But ashamedly, I have.
We want "peace" or the better words "to be comfortable with others." Convenience is more important. Not rocking the boat. Making sure everyone is on board before the right thing is done. Not challenging people but letting them go to their "safe places". Only challenging on Facebook or Twitter when the faces are hidden.
This is one of the reasons we are looking at the future that we are. We move around with like-minded people and don't want to hurt feelings. We try to get consensus before trying to get justice. We ignore the anger and the privileged around us. We allow the powerful and wealthy to split us apart by getting us to blame the people who are different in color, gender, or religion instead of class from ourselves.We have to stop being scared and get on with it...even if the others do not come.
...Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face...."I'm sorry, Aslan," she said. "I'm ready now."
"Now you are a lioness," said Aslan. "And now all Narnia will be renewed. But come. We have no time to lose."
Amen.
-Kathleen
