History will tell whether the above quote will become the most quoted line from the late Jack Layton. However, Jack’s idea isn’t new, it comes from the Bible as Jack has his spiritual feed from the United Church of Canada. Hear this: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fears.” (1 John 4:18). Jack will be remembered as a fearless social activist, an optimist, a down-to-earth politician who embodied hope, social justice and optimism; and the best of all, a great Canadian. As a leader of the opposition party, Jack was also the "Prime Minister-in-waiting". I shouldn’t fail to mention he spoke Cantonese and married a Chinese woman, also a Member of Parliament!
When I was studying in New York City, I had a dinner with a rabbinic student who was in training to be a rabbi. I asked Paula Drill the question: “What is the reason of living in your tradition?” Paula mentioned this term Tikkun Olam, which means to care for the earth. She said we were made and sent by God to care for the earth. When our time is up, we go home. I have like this idea ever since. In contrast to my Christian upbringing in a more conservative circle, I was told the reason of living is to make as many Christians as you can. Forget this earth because it is evil. Help people make the right decision in Jesus so that they can go to heaven. This mindset often translates into a divided life between religious and secular; fear of making wrong decisions that displease God. Sometimes it makes one less involved in social change because some may believe this evil world couldn’t be fixed. Yet, faith in Jesus doesn’t endorse it.
As Jesus reminds his followers when he was with them, he is going to prepare a place for them. He also reminded them not to worry about what to eat because God will provide. Deeply metaphorical sayings in essence, Jesus reminded us not to worry what is next because what is next has been looked after. Life after death is beyond our control but enters the domain of the grace of the Creator. Since what is next has been looked after, take a good look at this earth and see what we can do to make it a just, loving and sustainable place for all. It is such grace from the Creator that transforms us to be fearless lovers of this earth and empowers us to live lives that are useful for the disenfranchised and the voiceless, as shown in many past saints such as Dietrich Bonhoffer, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Bishop Oscar Romero. Faith isn’t about internalizing a set of religious beliefs; we are not saved by “correct” doctrines. Faith doesn’t necessarily manufacture “good and trouble-free life” but sustains us when life turns ugly.
In another angle, Jack is just a normal human being who happened to have fell in love with the earth and its people. His time is up, it is our turn to continue. Jack may have been empowered by this scriptural verse: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” Ephesians 4:31-32. Thank you Jack for reminding us to be loving, hopeful, and optimistic!
Well done! Jack, a good and faithful servant. Rest in peace.
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