Eye to Eye

For a recent class assignment I asked everyone to bring artwork or photographs that revealed the dignity of humans as those made in the image of God. The results were truly stunning. We had ourselves an art gallery. As I joined the class in studying the images and reading the students' brief explanations of them, I was struck by two things: the number of pictures that had been taken on mission trips, and the prominence of eyes staring right at the camera. Here is one of ours, from pastoral training in Rwanda.

Karl Barth said that for an encounter to be truly human, I must look the other person in the eye. If I look past the other, I do not see her or him as a human being. Conversely, Barth observed, my looking the other in the eye also means that I allow that one to look me in the eye. It has implications for electronic communication, does it not?

The number of images from mission trips suggested an additional challenge, one that I have tried to remember since. May I take the time to notice neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers on the street the way I notice the locals while on a mission trip. May I see their eyes, and let them see mine. May our encounters be truly human.

Bob