I was lucky enough for my car to pick up a nail in the left rear tire the other day.

So, I made an appointment at my favorite shop to get it fixed. Warranties are so nice. The whole thing was free. Arriving at 6:50 in the morning, which is a perfect time for those who have attained elderhood, I found five old boomers and a millennial waiting for service. The doors opened precisely at 7:00.  We were processed into a computer queue and surrendered our keys.

Two of our group left their cars and were picked up by doting children. The rest of us settled into chairs with coffee in hand. The conversation started out with an octogenarian woman complimenting the hat of another who was somewhat younger. Funny how things can get started. I am reminded of the scriptural reference that whenever two or more are gathered, God is among them. Rough translation. Of course, God is always with each of us. But there is a sacredness in gathering together because an immediate community has a chance to emerge.

During our hour together, an unusual depth of sharing happened. We spoke of a spouse who is suffering from dementia in a nursing home, stories of growing up black in rural Memphis, recovering from surgeries, a defiant adult grandchild, the effects of growing old and trying to stay fit. We talked about karma, punishment and love. All the time, our young millennial was listening intently. She even said she was learning and appreciated being part of the unintentional group.

Our little meeting reminded me of the church in so many ways. Religion, like everything else, seems to be undergoing some big changes. Some of those are not very pretty. A so-called spiritual advisor who has the ear of our top leaders ranted in a public prayer that called on Jesus Christ to “command all satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now.” She later walked it back saying she was being metaphoric. A televangelist recently flashed a photograph of the Speaker of the House of Representatives while referring to "demons from hell." Islamist extremism caused 84,000 deaths in 2017.

Fanatics seem to be running rampant in almost every religion. I dare say that not one of them is reflecting the true nature of their faith nor are they representing God in any way, shape, or form. But they have followings and their voices divide a world that so desperately needs love, healing, and a joining together.

There is also a movement afoot that envisions a spiritual reawakening which it purports is underway right now. It's clerics and laypeople ask for organized religions to become transformational rather than transactional, teaching about simple living, nonviolence, inclusivity, and love of enemies. People seem to be starving for this kind of revival. Meetings such as those of AA, Celebrate Recovery, Cursillo, Tres Dias, and spontaneous gatherings like the one I experienced the other day speak to the depth of that hunger.

Thomas Keating once said that “The primary purpose of religion is to help us move beyond the separate-self sense to union with God.” I believe and teach that our separateness from self and from each other is merely an illusion. This is reflected in the Spanish folk song, De Colores. which is beloved by children and widely used in retreats. It sings simple lyrics of love, acceptance, and oneness which should resonate with all authentic faith systems.

De colores, de colores

Se visten los campos en la primavera.

De colores, de colores

Son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera.

De colores, de colores

Es el arco iris que vemos lucir.

Y por eso los grandes amores

De muchos colores me gustan a mí.

English Translation

In colors, in colors

The fields are dressed in the spring.

In colors, in colors

Are the little birds that come from outside.

In colors, in colors

Is the rainbow that we see shining.

And that is why I love

The great loves of many colors

We have come to a time in which authoritarian (my way or the highway) religion suggesting a vindictive and punitive God who plays favorites should come to an end. Hearts are crying out to our God of Love for restorative salvation, freedom, and acceptance by the entire community of human beings who long to be joined hand in hand.