"Diversity is a Good Thing"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Gail Wiley on Sunday, July 15, 2007 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, Illinois.

When Kirk called me Thursday (July 12) to inform me that Matt had a family emergency and needed me to fill the pulpit for this Sunday I will admit, panic ensued. Very busy week, two web clients needing stuff right away, a wedding to shoot on Saturday and someplace in there come up with a sermon. No pressure.

However, when he told me today’s text is about the Good Samaritan, I relaxed a little. This is a topic near and dear to my heart and I have more than enough material to chatter on for 6 Sundays. (Don’t worry, I won’t).

From a young age, I have always been appalled and amazed at the level of hatred in the world for no other reason than being different. In over 2000 years since Jesus told us this story, we as a society have not learned a thing. We have seen wars fought over religion, slavery, racial persecution, gay bashing, the rise of the Klan (still alive and well today, they have a website), racial profiling and indifference. Not even the horror of the holocaust has taught us to love. The internet is filled with hate groups. I found 50 of them in just 5 minutes. I hope that didn’t put me on any government watch lists.

In the story Jesus tells us, of a man who takes pity on another who was robbed and beaten and left for dead. While others walked past him this man took action. And not any man, a Samaritan. Somebody who would not normally perform such an act. So like Jesus did, I am going to tell you some stories of my own.

The first one is from my childhood. Growing up, I had a Norman Rockwell childhood. I had parents who loved me, friends and family. I had a few issues at school but nothing out of the ordinary. As far as I knew the world was a wonderful place and everybody was equal. I lived in Somonauk; this is a town that actually had a pet deer. Remember Bambey? My parents taught me that we were all God’s children and to treat all people with kindness and respect. It never occurred to me that there were people being oppressed…. Until April 4^th, 1968. That was the day Martin Luther King was assonated. I remember my mother telling me about it the next day. I knew he was a famous man but I didn’t know why. I felt bad for him and his family and I couldn’t understand why anybody would want to kill him. My mom was upset about it but I didn’t know why. I left for school and walked with a little girl I walked with often. I told her what my mom told me. What came out of her mouth stunned me. She said that she was glad someone shot him and maybe now those people will know their place. (Actually she used a more colorful term but you get the point). I was so horrified at the hatred in her statement. In that moment, I understood everything. I understood why he was important and that he was killed because of hate. I didn’t spend much time with her after that. She was repeating what her parents told her of course. Children don’t know hate, they are taught it. Part of being a Good Samaritan is to teach our children love, not hate.

Recently I was watching on the History Channel a documentary about the KKK. As I watched it, I started to feel sorry for them. They have no idea what they are missing out on. By limiting their view of the world, they deny themselves a wealth of joy and knowledge. I want to tell you about 4 good friends of mine.

First there is Julian. Julian is an architect in Chicago. He builds office buildings and churches. These are beautiful strong structures that will last many lifetimes. He is a happy and kind man as well as driven and ambitious. When he sets his mind to doing something, he will stop at nothing to get it done. He was one of my skydivers. I remember watching him try to master a new canopy. It was very fast and light and hard to land. I watched him struggle with that canopy jump after jump crashing into the ground. It was painful to watch. Finally though he figured it out and looked mighty impressive land surfing that canopy across the landing zone. Julian doesn’t know how to quit.

Next we have David. He is another one of my skydivers. David served in Vietnam as a tunnel rat. That was one of the most dangerous jobs a soldier could get. When he finished his tour, he came home and became a police officer in Aurora. He use to tell me that Aurora scares him a whole lot more than the war did. While he was an officer, he became involved with the Dare program. He felt that it was the most important work that he could do and he loved it. If he could save even one kid from the streets it was worth it. David is probably the happiest man I know. His outlook on life is positive, he smiles at everybody. You can’t help but be happy when you are with him. He has a strong sence of family and is currently dealing with his fathers Alzimers. His father is lucky to have such a dedicated son.

Now please meet Larry. Larry is a unique character. The man is kind, funny, smart and wound up tighter than an 8 day clock. He and I worked the Manifest desk together at the drop zone. He was very detail oriented and taught me a lot. Larry works as an actor and is brilliant. He did a play once where he was a lawyer arguing the death sentence. He had been in serious pain for weeks before and went to the VA hospital for treatment. They gave him a test gave him some stomach medicine and sent him home. The night of the play he was in intense pain. Almost blinding. He channeled all the pain into the part and gave the performance of his life. After the play, Dr. Joan (another skydiver) saw him and rushed him to the ER. His appendix had burst and he was near death. Fortunately, he was treated in time and he is now healthy, happy and living in Hawaii. Larry is the kind of guy that would drop everything for a friend in need. He was a rock for me on many occasions.

I have another Larry but we can call him Sparky. I met Sparky working at Robart. He was the machine shop supervisor. He took a messed up disorganized shop and turned it into an efficient smooth running operation. Sparky was a Green Beret and served in Vietnam as a sniper. (Something he prefers not to talk about). He led a wonderful adventurous life. He is an avid sailor and loved racing sailboats. He has traveled all over the world and can keep you mesmerized with story after story. Finally he gave up his adventurous lifestyle to settle down and be a husband and father. He is one of the most devoted fathers I have ever seen. Sparky is a man of great Honor. If a man doesn’t have honor, he has nothing. Sparky would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He is one of the kindest, gentlest souls I have ever met.

My life has been so blessed by these people and many others. I can go on and on. They have all left a mark on my soul and my life is richer and happier for knowing them. When I see these men, I see a skillful architect with drive and talent, I see the happiest person I have ever met, I see a brilliant actor and I see a man of honor and courage. When a Klansmen looks at them they see a Negro, a Mexican, a homosexual and a Jew. How sad. Look at what they are missing out on because of blind hate. If my friends were the man on the road, the Klansman would walk right by. They will never know the Joy and blessing that has touched my life.

One last story. I have two friends named Svet and Zorn. (Also skydivers). Zorn is Croatian. When I knew them, the war between Serbia and Croatia was going on. If you remember, it was a seriously hateful situation. I remember being at a skydive party and a woman in the group was Serbian. She was enraged that Zorn was at the party also. We asked her to leave. Zorn and Svet were best of friends. They were always together. Zorn’s daughter was still in Croatia and in a dangerous area. Zorn had to get her out of there as soon as possible. Svet went with him to Croatia and was instrumental in helping Zorn get her out. What makes this story outstanding is that Svet is Serbian. They didn’t let pointless hate rule there lives. They saw each other as people. Svet didn’t leave Zorn on the side of the road.

What I am trying to say with these stories is that we live in a world of great diversity and that is a good thing. How awful it would be if we were all the same. What we do all have in common is that we are all children of God. Even if some of us call him by a different name or with a different tongue. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what your lifestyle is, how you pray or what you know. God loves all of us and we need to extend that love to each other. When you see that person beaten and bleeding at the side of the road, don’t see a Negro, a Mexican, a homosexual, a Jew or an enemy. See a person, see a brother or sister, see a child of God and show mercy. See who they are inside. You will be amazed at what you find. Teach your children to Love. Then you and your children will know my joy and enjoy many rich and wonderful friendships.

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