George Mason, Senior Pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, reflects on the lesson Ebola is teaching him as a faith leader:
What we’ve learned in recent weeks is that there’s a flip side to this truth as well: When we’re carefully taught to love rather than hate, when we’re carefully taught to care rather than shun, it shows up in our actions. And in times of crisis — like when Ebola comes to church — what we’ve been taught pops into full view.
We’ve seen this lived out in Dallas by our mayor, Mike Rawlings, and our top county official, Clay Jenkins. Both these elected officials spontaneously acted in ways that not only offered compassion but inspired others to be compassionate. They knew you’ve got to be carefully taught.The lesson we all need to learn now is another biblical teaching: We are, in fact, our brother’s keeper. Because Eric Duncan got on that plane and came to Dallas, we put a face and a name and a life story and hopes and dreams with the tragedy of Ebola. Because he came to Dallas, Ebola was no longer someone else’s problem; it became our problem.
We need to be carefully taught, once again, the old African proverb: “I am because we are.”
For the full reflection from Rev. Mason, please visit the Huffington Post here.