Anyone who has heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” knows how silly and untrue this aphorism is. We have personally seen how deep and real the pain is when our children at New Vision City of Refuge have been called “dashway pickneys” (a patois term meaning “throw away children”) by callous school mates.Derogatory terms have the intention to separate: to make others feel less than worthy. Teasing and mocking is nothing new. Although, we may inwardly cheer when David calls Goliath an “uncircumcised Philistine,” we are at a loss in our contemporary setting to understand the contempt and disdain behind these words.
Jews in the Old Testament were chosen and marked by God to be the covenant people. This was evidenced by the sign of the covenant which of course was circumcision. All others not a part of the community of faith were referred to as “Gentiles” or “uncircumcised.” This term, “Gentiles” although a seemingly benign expression in our 21st century ears was actually a reprehensible and disparaging name meant to degrade and demean anyone who was not a part of the covenant people.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul enlightens us to a mystery previously hidden but now openly proclaimed; that Jew and Gentile are to be reconciled as one. The Apostle was not simply stating that Jew and Gentile should tolerate each other or do their best to get along. He was fervently preaching that Jew and Gentile are now one new man; united, joined together, complete in Christ. The Gentiles, formerly “separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship…foreigners to the covenant…without hope and without God…who once were far away have now been brought near through the blood of Christ”(Ephesians 2:12-13).
No longer “dashway pickneys” but members of God’s family, united with the covenant people.
At New Vision City of Refuge our children who once were abandoned, neglected and abused have now have been “brought near” and welcomed into a loving family environment where they share in its privileges and responsibilities. With your help, our hope and intention is that they realize their Heavenly Father guarantees the equivalent in his family as well.
He is our peace.
