The kingdom of God is... (a guest blog by Jeff Tabone)

In early July my friends Jeff and Anna Tabone came to visit me in Kolkata. It was a gift. an absolute gift to have them around for awhile. As we began talking about the possibility of a trip here, and then then as the details began to come together, Jeff and Anna said, "we just want to know what a week in life of Melissa Hayward is like." it was such a gift to invite them into my community, and into life in Kolkata...to open up the realities of questions and contradictions, to lay bare all that runs through my heart and mind (and across my plate) in any given week. Their presence was so life-giving.

I invited them to "guest blog" while they were here, pointing out how their perspective is so different than mine (oh, the view is so different with fresh eyes). Jeff graciously agreed. When i first read this, sitting in the Sari Bari office amidst the chaos and beauty, it brought tears to my eyes.

enjoy! (and thanks so much Jeff)

Throughout the Gospel of Mark we find the repeated phrase, “The Kingdom of God is…”  This phrase gives us pause.  The words beg us to pay heed to the greater truth that is about to be revealed.  It parts the shroud of mystery as it illuminates our dim vision into a greater insight of the restoring power that is at work around us.  From this phrase Mark demonstrates that there is a Kingdom, there is a King, and there is a current restoration taking place as the world adheres to the “kingdom” principles.  Slowly and surely this process is happening and it was my prayer in Kolkata to see it take place.  The following is how I’d testify to completing the phrase “the Kingdom of God is…” from what I witnessed in India.

The Kingdom of God is…

… Joy – as seen through women who truly know what freedom is.

… Hospitality – as the women of Sari Bari welcomed my wife Anna and I to sit with them amidst their daily labors and join in on small tasks.

… Patience – as Sari Bari’s main cutter of material, Shibu, graciously showed me how to pin together saris to prepare them to be sewed.  He and I joked about my slow and fat fingers.

… Rest - as seen in the 15 minute chai tea breaks where the women had time to sit back and share life with one another.   

… Prayer – as was beautifully depicted when the Sari Bari women would end their workday hand in hand over a closing prayer.

… Community – as seen by the tight relationships among the staff members.  It was clearly evident that they hold fast to one another amidst all that takes place within the chaos of Kolkata.

… Justice – as seen by all that has happened and that is taking place in Sari Bari and within their surrounding communities.

… Hope – as seen in the vision that Sari Bari holds for all that is yet to come.

... Love – above all, this was written on the faces of the women who worked at Sari Bari.

This list is a small snapshot of how the Kingdom of God is revealing itself and bringing a restoration to Kolkata through Sari Bari.  It must be noted that all of these are positive images wherein hope and anticipation for all that is to come is instilled within the heart of the reader.  However, it was Christ’s resurrection that brought forth the inauguration of his kingdom.  This miracle of trampling death underfoot was preceded by his suffering and passion. We would be naïve to believe that the Kingdom of God does not come at a great cost.  For the list above we can create one even longer of the pain, disappointment, and grief that bears its face each day in the lives of these women.  But is this not the reality of the Kingdom?  Is it not a reality of a “now, but not yet” mentality as we patiently await the world to be reordered accordingly?  Kolkata is in a simultaneous movement of the suffering and pain of Good Friday, the disorientation and confusion of Holy Saturday, and the triumphant joy of Resurrection Sunday.  For everywhere we turn we are faced with glimpses of the Kingdom manifesting itself amidst the day to day chaos, suffering, and anguish that terrorizes the soul; giving us pause and hope for all that is and all that is yet to come.        

      

During one day of volunteering, Sari Bari closed early in order for the staff and workers to travel south to the Mela (a local carnival/fair).  Keep in mind that Kolkata is an overcrowded place (this being a major understatement), and traveling as a group of 30 is no easy task especially when it’s via public transportation.  My wife Anna and I may have quickly gotten lost in the flurry and confusion of travel as we crossed busy roads, avoided oncoming taxis, autos, and buses, and weaved our way through crowded sidewalks had it not been for the watchful eyes of the Upendra and John (who were coordinating the outing).  At different times the Sari Bari women would hold fast to Anna’s arm with a firm grip so she wouldn’t get lost within the bustle.  We packed into a crowded metro car for a 20 minute ride and then somehow all managed to get off together and at the correct location.  As we exited the metro station I couldn’t help but recognize the growing excitement within the eyes of the women.  Their spirits continued to lift with each step towards the mela.  And why shouldn’t they?  They were on an outing with their friends and colleagues.  Their joy grew.  Amidst the noise and flurry of activity surrounding me, a calm and peaceful epiphany settled into my thoughts as I realized that these women know what it means to be truly free.  It is a freedom that I’ll never even come close to grasping as I’ve been saved the bondage that these ladies have faced at one time or another.  Amidst the schemes and clenched fists of their captors, they have been freed.  Whether they were actively acknowledging it or not at that moment of epiphany on a busy Kolkata street, their lives and actions eluded to it.  Their faces proclaimed it in that moment.  For me, it was a moment of silent humility, awe, and wonder as the truth rested gently within my heart that, “The Kingdom of God is… freedom”.    

May we all continue to keep our eyes open and hearts attentive for the continued restoration of the Kingdom of God.  From that, may we give faithful witness and testimony to its transforming power within our lives and within the communities surrounding us.