Accompaniment: An Essential Practice

God is with us. These four words offer us great assurance in the midst of life's many circumstances. God's promise and presence are ever more important in an age of changing civil liberties.

Early in their history, Anabaptists came to trust God's presence in times of persecution. Often their behavior and identity in Christ posed an uncomfortable challenge to the status quo associated with church-state relationships which ordered their society. Inevitably, Anabaptists were asked to leave communities. They became people of exile. They had to trust that God was with them -- that God would guide, provide and protect them. But how would God's care and presence continue throughout the ages, especially when Anabaptists by their nature have a prophetic presence to government and society?

Anabaptists in the United States are again facing this question today. They are questioning whether changes in policy and society will negatively impact the civil liberties of people both inside and outside the United States.

At a Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) conference, I met a woman who is a known peace activist in her town. She is part of an Anabaptist peace church. Her congregation and other churches had established a "peace park." Not long ago, this activist decided to remove ribbons from the park that expressed solidarity with soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Whether or not we agree with her judgment and actions, she has suffered serious consequences. Since her "mistake," she has faced harassment -- surveillance, searches, and threats -- allegedly from some persons associated with local law enforcement and from anonymous sources. To some degree, she has been isolated from her community.

What is her hope? She is counting on being heard, particularly by Christians. She is counting on believers and neighbors to understand, at least in part, the peace convictions of her faith. At the conference, a number colleagues promised to stay in touch with her, pray for her and support her. It is through these responses that God is with her.

At the CPT event, I had the honor of doing a civil liberties presentation with another peace activist, Staughton Lind. After many decades, he remains a seasoned and untiring worker against war and for civil and human rights. He talked about the history of law and human freedom. At the conclusion of the workshop, the group considered the possibility of holding a vigil or dialogue to call attention to the detention of alleged "dirty bomber" Jose Padilla.

Many Mennonite young people, CPT and peace traditions members have held vigils and dialogues at the School of the Americas (which has trained soldiers who have done great wrongs throughout Latin America), against the death penalty, and for other causes of human dignity.

No vigil has ever been held for government declared enemy combatant Padilla. One reason is his whereabouts were unknown. But after two years, a few things have changed. He has met with a lawyer and a federal court has ruled he is due his full constitutional protections as an U.S. citizen. He is now held in a naval brig in South Carolina. Could a vigil or dialogue have yielded positive developments?

What kind statement could a vigil or prophetic witness make in such situations? First, the action would say "You are not alone." It offers protection by standing with others. Right or wrong, it also affirms that there is a common standard of decency and treatment for prisoners -- human rights that all persons deserve.

Efforts like these do not discount extraordinary concerns regarding terrorism and the threat of violence. However, a public vigil might be done by those who believe that government actions need both transparency and accountability to prevent abuse. Under these conditions, God "needs" to be with a prisoner, those with authority and prophetic witnesses.

The late Rosemarie Freeney Harding offered an example of individual prophetic witness. She was a veteran of the Southern Freedom Movement. During one of her latest travels, a young Transportation Security Agency officer questioned her. He was clearly embarrassed with his task. She struck up a friendship and was able to express concern for the young man and broaden an understanding of security for those who could hear the conversation.

Scriptures for Reflection

With danger looming in Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples to watch and pray with him (Matthew 26:36).

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19).

One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people" (Acts 18:9-10).

Questions for Reflection

• See the above Bible verses: Under what circumstances do you sense that God is with you? In times of trouble, do you have a particular awareness of God? What has been your experience as part of a group purposed for public witness and prophetic justice? What creative ways can we find and work with others to express Christ's gospel of peace?
• Michael Sattler, an early Swiss Anabaptist martyr (d.1527), had his tongue removed before he was executed. He had spoken against war and displayed some sense of "understanding" of invading Turkish forces. In his defense, he said: "In conclusion: Ye ministers of God, I admonish you to consider the end for which God has appointed you, to punish the evil, and to defend and protect the pious. Whereas, then, we have not acted contrary to God and the Gospel, you will find that neither I nor my brethren and sisters have offended in word or deed against any authority." Read more. What would it mean to demonstrate sympathetic understanding of our present enemies and urge government to desist from war?
• What does it mean to accompany an enemy? Do enemies remain enemies, if we practice accompaniment and hospitality? What is God's promise regarding this?
• Does accompaniment have a different meaning when dealing with or speaking to government? Your community at-large?
• Can you think of your own experiences or individual stories of accompaniment? What do you need to practice this sense of Christian discipleship?