Reaching Out to the Unseen and Unheard
How do we offer more love and understanding to our neighbors? Chrystal McCowan, Program Director of of Neighbor’s Table: Transformative Justice, reflects on the scriptural mandate to love, fully, wholly—and better. Find the courage to take a hard look at the lives of those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system in this moving reflection in August’s We Conspire series.
In the heart of Phoenix, AZ, an initiative known as Neighbor’s Table: Criminal Justice Reform has begun to blossom, aspiring to incubate a movement with God’s people towards the complex and often misunderstood realm of the criminal justice system. As the Program Director of this initiative, I have found myself in the unique position of conversing with pastors and leaders around the city, sharing the mission and vision of our work.
“Our hope is to mirror the compassion of Jesus for the neglected, including the orphan, widow, and prisoner. Yet, the response has been surprisingly different from what one might expect from followers of Jesus who embraced the outcast.”
— Chrystal McCowan
The reaction has been a mix of suspicion, doubt, and, perhaps most dishearteningly, apathy. This response stands in opposition to the teachings in Matthew 25 where Jesus profoundly identifies with the “least of these,” indicating that attending to them is service to Him. The lack of care raised an uncomfortable question about the church’s fidelity to the scriptural mandate of love, particularly in the verse from 1 John 4:20 that challenges those who claim to love God but fail to love their brethren whom they have seen.
This discord prompts a deeper examination: Does the church truly embody the love of God as the scripture requires? Observing the societal treatment of individuals who are feared, shamed, and marginalized, I have wrestled with the implications of many of their exclusion within the church itself. These individuals form a subculture that is not only disenfranchised but also seemingly invisible to the faith communities that should be their sanctuaries. This realization has stirred emotions of profound sadness, fueling a passion to extend to these individuals the unconditional love of the Jesus I know.
“For those born into privilege, true sight often eludes us, blinded by our delusions. It is only through the prism of contemplation that we might begin to perceive beyond our misconceptions and biases.” — Chrystal McCowan
My time at the Living School has been transformative, granting me the courage to embrace the uncomfortable questions and dwell in what they term “undefinitive knowing,” “curious contemplation,” or “tolerant unknowing.” Rather than attempting to escape the weighty tensions within the church, I am learning to lean into them, to dwell in the discomfort and seek understanding through a contemplative lens.
The vision of Dr. Barbara Holmes resonates deeply as I navigate this journey. She speaks of a community that, through contemplation, re-prioritizes its focus and sifts through the broken heart of God in search of liberation for the oppressed. For those born into privilege, true sight often eludes us, blinded by our delusions. It is only through the prism of contemplation that we might begin to perceive beyond our misconceptions and biases.
“The work of Neighbor’s Table is a clarion call for the church to awaken and step into the realities of those impacted by our justice system. It is a reminder that the church must not only be a place of worship but also a conduit of God’s love in action, a love that does not discriminate or is desensitized to suffering surrounding us.”
— Chrystal McCowan
The work of Neighbor’s Table is not just an initiative; it is a clarion call for the church to awaken and step into the realities of those impacted by our justice system. It is a reminder that the church must not only be a place of worship but also a conduit of God’s love in action, a love that does not discriminate or is desensitized to suffering surrounding us. As we continue to invite leaders and congregations to join us at the table, we hold onto the hope that the church will rise to meet the challenge, embodying the radical love of Christ for every member of society, especially the “least of these,” who are often right before our eyes.
Reflect with Us
What can you do today to expand your role as a “conduit of God’s love”? Share your reflection with us.
Chrystal McCowan is a Program Director of Neighbor’s Table: Transformative Justice, where she has served on the leadership team for several years. A native of Arizona, she has built a unique professional path that has orbited Ministry and consistently worked for greater truth and justice in the world. Learn more about Neighbor’s Table: Transformative Justice on Instagram.
We Conspire is a series from the Center for Action and Contemplation featuring wisdom and stories from the growing Christian contemplative movement. Sign up for the monthly email series and receive a free invitation to practice each month.