Seeing the other as brother (an example)

I went to the funeral of Rev Rob Robertson yesterday. Yes, I managed to get excused from CPE for the afternoon! Thomas was there too. Rob was a Presby minister who started the first multi-racial Presbyterian congregation in SA and was very involved in the anti-apartheid struggle. He died on Saturday at 82 on his daily run. When I came to Cape Town I was told by three different people in independent circumstances (Greg Andrews, Rob Steiner and Keith Vermeulen) that I would do well to meet Rob, as he had done some of the things I was expressing and desiring in the church. My to-do list in my wallet still has the words "Rob Robertson - Milnerton" on it.

Hearing of his death, and more of his story, made me regret not contacting him. I thought i better go along to the service, to get one last chance to 'meet' him and hear how people spoke of him. After the service (and after greeting far too many Presby Colleagues and friends) I went up to his wife to introduce myself. I felt I needed to tell her that, as a Presbyterian student of the ministry, I hope to continue Rob's multi-racial congregation legacy in our country. She thanked me, adding that it desperately needed to be done.

Another moving moment was the story Rob Steiner used to open the service. I want to post and paraphrase it here for others to hear. From what I heard, Rob Robertson really did see the other as brother:

A Hasidic Rabbi once asked his students "How do you know when the night has ended and it is day?" (for they measure days from sunset and sunrise)
One student ventured: "Is it when you can look into the field and there is enough light to tell the difference between a sheep and a dog?" "No" was the reply.
Another tried, "Is it when it is light enough to look at your hand and make out your finger prints?" And another said, "Is it when you can tell the difference between a fig tree and a pear tree in the distance?" Still the answer was "No."
"So what is it then?" insisted the students.

"It is when you can look into the face of another person, any woman or man, and see that they are in fact your your sister and your brother. Until that time, we are still living in the dark" the Rabbi replied.

Here's to carrying on the legacy of this man I almost met.

(See Barry's latest post for another realisation of the other as brother)