An Indian custom I never paid much attention to until recently is Rakshabandan or Rakhi, a Hindu tradition of tying a band made of silk threads on a brother's wrist by his sister for protection. Brought up as a minority Christian in India, it was not a custom I knew much about. The other day, a vestry member of Indian descent at Gloria Dei, where I serve as its interim, told me how much she had appreciated the tradition of Rakhi when she was growing up in Northern India. It piqued my interest.
The more I learned about this practice, the more I appreciated it, especially when envisioned, understood, and practiced universally. We are all our siblings' keepers. Jesus calls for an expanded version of this concept in his call to extend our concern, care, and love by going beyond our blood relations to even our enemies. Jesus, after washing his disciples' feet and told them to do likewise as an outward symbol of their love for each other. Then he said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." In other words, our gospel call is not to limit ourselves to be just keepers of our immediate siblings. Instead, we are to see the whole of humanity as our siblings and to be keepers of each other.
Building on the tradition of Rakhi, the communications committee at Gloria Dei Church decided to act as keepers of a few students at the college where I studied in India. https://youtu.be/B2ViOFpnu-8The pandemic and the subsequent lockdown severely affected these students whose situation was already dire due to their socio-economic context. The committee's proposal to raise funds to help the students through the sale of Rakhi Bands among the church members and friends found wide acceptance not just at Gloria Dei but beyond as well. As this initiative fits in with the Bishop's goal of the diocese and the Anglican Communion, he made a large donation. It also became the first-ever recipient of a mission grant from the Diocesan Global Mission Committee. What a great initiative! It has helped us create a bond of care between these students and us halfway across the globe.
Rakhi is celebrated in India on Sunday, August 22. On that same day, Gloria Dei, too, will be celebrating our Bond of Care service by exchanging rakhis with each other during the time of peace. On this day, we will hear how a local church can use a tradition from another culture, religion, or land to engage in God's mission of care and concern for the struggling siblings of that land. We will also hear how engaging in such a mission would help our congregation become closer, more loving, and united in our purpose and being. Exchanging rakhis within our community and helping students with funds from the sale of rakhis are visible symbols of God's grace and love that is present in our congregation. I am proud of Gloria Dei for its parts in God's mission.
