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CPG: Christians Don’t Own Jesus: An Appearance on a Sikh Ashram. |
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Monday, 16 January 2006 |
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Page 2 of 2
We visited three sites where sacred fires burn 24 hours a day, and 24 hours a day people read from the Sikh holy book, the {italic}Guru Granth Sahib{italic}, a sacred text that is interfaith in its composition. As we walked through the lush fields, she recounted stories of the miraculous effect Babaji’s presence has on agriculture and how his farms on environmentally reclaimed land provided homes and a future for many impoverished Indians of all different religions.
At one point, we walked down a dusty path, dodging cow dung that would later be collected for fuel, and then walked through a gate into a beautiful enclosed garden. Down the path on the opposite side of the garden was a statue of Jesus, arms opened wide to embrace all who came to him.
As we stood in front of the statue, Mary Pat explained, “This is where Jesus appeared to Babaji. It was such a powerful experience that Babaji had this statue made and placed in this garden. Christmas is a major celebration each year at Gobin Sadan. And Babaji and Jesus still meet and talk.”
It was startling, humbling, challenging and inspiring to see Jesus so accepted and honored in a Sikh ashram. Even more startling and inspiring was to imagine an ongoing relationship between Jesus and Babaji that would be the envy of Christians around the world. It occurred to me that nobody owned the sacred dimension of life, and, it seemed, Christians do not own Jesus.
Near the end of my visit, I was taken for an audience with Babaji. He sat, dressed in white from the tip of his turban to the hem of his robe, with a long white beard and an expansive smile. I felt instantly that I was in the presence of a holy, humble, light-filled person who could see into the depth of my being at a glance.
Through a translator, he spoke of God, our Source, whose essence is boundless, overflowing love. He spoke of the call to be love, light, and service in the world. He said that all God asks of God’s children is that they come to God for love; and if all God’s children came at once, receiving all the love they could ever want from God, the drain on the fullness of God’s love would be as if a tiny bird took a sip out of the ocean.
I have often recalled my visit to Gobin Sadan in gratitude and wonder. And I remember that no one owns God and that Christians don’t own Jesus. But if our hearts and minds are open, we can meet together in God’s unfathomable love. In that love we can work together to make our world a better place for all.
And, by the way, if you’re interested in a conversation about salvation through Jesus Christ, I know a Sikh leader who might be happy to talk with you.
Charles Gibbs
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Last Updated ( Monday, 27 February 2006 )
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