“Religious traditions are no longer isolated. On the contrary, due to phenomena such as globalization, religions are increasingly called to work together, along with public authorities and civil society, to reestablish a culture of solidarity. Let us be honest. There is a crisis of solidarity throughout the world, based on mistrust and misrepresentation of the Other. For us, a crisis of solidarity is also a crisis of love. As Saint John the Theologian wrote in his first Letter: ‘Let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love’ (1 John 4:7-8).”
MESSAGE by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, “2017 – Islamic Solidarity Year: Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue,” Baku, December 21, 2017
The above quote calls to mind the immediate reaction to what I have felt metamorphosize within my heart and soul as being a participant in the Boston Bridges Fellowship. To begin to reflect on the magnanimity of this fellowship cannot be confined to a brief post, nor should it be. The Boston Bridges Fellowship is more than a supportive program for emerging religious leaders, it is an essential and life-giving ministry that has earned its well-deserved accolades.
Prior to commencing the fellowship, I did not think that I would have enough time to commit to yet another ongoing meeting, especially one with selected texts and thought-provoking topics that needed discernment before several of the sessions. I considered dropping out before it began but was highly encouraged to attend out of unanimous interest to hear my voice and what I could bring to the conversation. This desire to “hear me” stayed within my heart and mind throughout the duration of the fellowship meetings—and dwells within to this day. This was only the second program (first being my Doctorate of Ministry program at Boston University) in which I participated wherein my voice was not only welcomed, but eagerly sought through engaging conversations, and opportunities for each participant to share from their vantage point.
My interest in interreligious involvement exponentially increased as a result of the Bridges Fellowship, primarily because it truly was a matter of relationships. This is not to use relationships in as cliché or emotionally evoking term, but rather one to speak to the heart of what I received, and hopefully offered, as a result of being a collaborator. Each session invited us in to peer through a window of a new perspective, based off of reading an anecdotal testimonial of an interreligious experience, coupled with frequent guest speakers who have been involved in interreligious communications or community activism. Although we all came from different denominations or religions, we had the collective goals of broadening our understanding, growing as individuals, cultivating relationships with one another, and building hope for the future.
Hope is a good segway, because each and every meeting rendered me optimistic, joyous, and spiritually nourished. Hope in humanity, in our city, and in our communities resulted from strengthening relationships throughout the nine months. I continue to reflect on the exceptional caliber of the individuals and voices that enlivened the conversations that were had, along with the broadening of my world perspective. I can firmly say that I am a better person today than in September, and the Bridges Fellowship was certainly a component of that transformation.
Spiritual development was a quintessential aspect of the Bridges Fellowship, but academic scholarship and intellectually stimulating dialogue were not absent by any means. The individual and collective progress that has been made, both by myself and my family, is the fruit of these gatherings. Inspired by the work of the monthly meetings, I took my wife and daughter to a synagogue of one of the participants in order to attend a vigil for those who have been lost in the horrific attacks on various houses of worship within the Abrahamic realm. My family thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality and prayer of the synagogue, and my daughter even asked me the following morning if we would return at some point. This may seem minute, but it was a signpost for me that the Boston Bridges Fellowship has the ability to change lives, and change the world.
I remain grateful to Rabbi Or Rose, who encouraged me to do as my namesake encouraged the Apostles, to “come and see” (John 1:45-46).
Philip J. Halikias