The world lost two very important people this week. People who transformed and inspired.
On Saturday morning, Rachel Held Evans died after a brief illness. She was 37. Despite her young age, she came to prominence as a formidable Christian writer and speaker. Having been raised in an evangelical Christian home, she spent much of her adult life challenging the harm fostered by conservative Christianity and she wrote, blogged and spoke of a Christianity that embraces ALL people. She insisted that God’s love included everyone and she offered those who had been shunned by the church (LGBTQ+, women, people of colour) a way to return. Her friend Jeff Chu said, “She saw the disconnect between so much of the church and what Jesus was saying.”
I quoted Rachel Held Evans on Sunday … “This is what the Kingdom of God is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there’s always room for more.”
What a breathtaking and heartening explanation of the church.
And then today the word came that Jean Vanier has died at age 90. He was a champion for people with disabilities. A Canadian, a follower of Jesus, a deeply committed and compassionate man, he helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled in multiple countries. He established L’Arche in 1964 as an alternative housing and living environment to allow for those with developmental disabilities to live in community rather than as patients in an institution. L’Arche is now in 38 countries and homes are provided for thousands of people.
Jean Vanier came from a life of privilege. His father was the first French Canadian Governor General . Vanier was inspired by his Catholic faith but chose to not enter the priesthood but to follow a different calling. His leadership and influence, around the globe, looms large.
Two deaths, two Christians, two people from very different backgrounds, two passions that influenced people beyond counting, two different perspectives but two people who shaped the church and the culture in profound ways.
All one can say is, Thanks be to God.
