We might have radically different experiences and beliefs, but that does not mean that the Other is unworthy of love. In short, by emphasizing the differences between us, we turn the Other into a caricature. But by ignoring these differences, we simply turn the Other into a reflection of ourselves.

All of us are on different parts of the process of faith. If we are to move forward in our pursuit of reconciliation and justice, we all need to be able to cultivate and extend grace to those who are on a different path.

Each step of my journey has revealed a different aspect of my faith that I cherish and respect. By paying homage to my past, I can come to grips with where I am now, even if it feels like a million miles from where I’ve been. No one has a corner on orthodoxy. We are all seeing through a glass darkly. Home is held in a promise, not in a proposition. And I hold onto that promise.

Perhaps, in our current climate, it feels too soon to talk about construction and reconciliation. We, as a society, face systemic issues that are deeply rooted in the very fabric of the cultures we’ve created. Untangling the chords of oppression and evil will not be done overnight. Yet, we must also come to realize that every revolution, if it fails to contain and cultivate virtue, is doomed to self-destruction.