Ubuntu

For those who are Episcopalians the world is about to go Ubuntu crazy. The theme of General Convention this year is Ubuntu - which is really funny for me because it is the name of my operating system so instead of getting the Microsoft logo which most folks get when they turn on their computer I get the word"ubuntu" across the screen.

What is Unbuntu - well that is going to be interesting for folks to find out for the very reason mentioned above - when you Google Ubuntu you find yourself in the computer geek world of Linux - an alternative to Windows - try "Ubuntu Africa" for a better result.

Generally speaking Ubuntu is that everything we do affects other people. It is about human action and interaction - about the general reality of being human beings together on the planet. If embraced by all it could change all - that all our actions will impact the world in some way?

Where is God though - here is the danger. It is not enough to be "nice" to everyone - our Christian calling is more than that. Our actions will impact those around us - our kindness and grace but so will our challenges and calls for justice. It would be nice to think we lived in a society of ubuntu where everyone was thinking beyond themselves and noone had to ask the hard questions - but that is simply not true.

So let me extend Ubuntu a little into Christian theology. Christ is our all in all. Christ calls us to each person on this earth - is it reaching too far then to say that when we walk away from those who are in need, from those who are oppressed and alone that we not only walk away from Christ but we walk away from part of ourselves.

Is this level of interconnectedness and its accompanying demands where we are. Ubuntu is not "nice" in the sense of sugar coated life and smiling sweetly - it is much more demanding than that. But true hospitality always has been, true hospitality has always meant risking the stranger under our roof, risking the danger of the unknown and the change they might bring.

Ubuntu then, would seem to be reaching out and reaching in. Perhaps the Open Source computer programmers have something to teach us - they throw out code to the world - they have worked hard on it but they simply float it on the internet - it is great stuff - it works as well or better than what you buy - but it is owned by everyone and changed by those who know how so that it just gets better.

This will get too long - perhaps I will post on the other Blog - but it is an interesting set of thoughts - how we hold on and let go and how we are all tied together - and importantly for Christians - how that is in Christ. How do I see Christ in you and you see Christ in me and how to we damage each other and the image of Christ in each other when we fail to love and laugh and dance?