Ribbons
It’s simple (not easy): Love Your Neighbor.
Christian scripture speaks often about love of neighbor. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:30-31
It is the “golden rule” of many religions:
In Judaism, the Torah commands, "Love your neighbor as yourself – I am God." - Leviticus 19:18
The Hindu writings teach, "This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you." - Mahabharata 5,1517
Muslims learn from the Qur’an, "Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet)..." - Qur’an 4:36
It is a simple request, and yet it is so hard for us to do. In many cases, we go as far as to choose division and hate over love. One of the most egregious examples of this is the thousands of lives lost each year due to gun violence.
At Marble Collegiate Church we say enough is enough. Adorned on the fence around the church on 5th Avenue are orange ribbons, the defining color of the gun violence awareness movement. Included on these ribbons are tags with resources that can help you get started. Let's work together to put an end to gun violence and what has now become the leading cause of death for our children and teenagers.
Please join us in being part of the solution by promoting love and support to all of God’s creations. If we truly loved one another not only would it end gun violence, but it would also end all the evils that divide us.
"As of June 5, 2022, there have already been 246 mass shootings this year alone. We are on track to surpass the number of mass shootings last year, which was the worst year on record. Because we are a community grounded in faith, hope, and love, we will not accept this tragic loss of life as inevitable. Something must be done! Therefore, the orange ribbons on our fence are for more than awareness. They are a call to action for each of us to do whatever we can to end gun violence in our country. I encourage you to leave a message on the fence as inspiration for others and use the resources posted to help change happen. As Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” - John 13:17
– Dr. Michael Bos, Senior Minister, Marble Collegiate Church
What can I do right now?
Donate to these credible organizations that are working to end gun violence across our country.
Write to your Senator and Representative in Congress and demand they act now.