Sanctuary Everywhere

As a writer, I depend a great deal on intuition and synchronicity. An unexpected image or idea, a

chance word in conversation, a story on my newsfeed, a personal encounter, or a sight can

inspire a book or article. I had one such experience yesterday morning, that stayed with me all

day, and gave birth my DJAN reflections.

As I was taking my predawn walk in suburban Maryland, I chanced upon a quilt banner hanging

in a window in the townhouse community across the street, announcing “Sanctuary

Everywhere.” I wondered what it meant. Could it have been a call to a mystic vision of God’s

presence in all things, beyond church services? Did it relate to the Sanctuary Movement and the

welcome of immigrants and asylum seekers? Or was it simply an attractive banner that caught

the homeowner’s eye? I may never know the answer, but it caught my attention.

“Sanctuary Everywhere!” To me, that is both a spiritual and political affirmation. First, the

sacred is present wherever we are. We live in a God-filled world. The heavens declare the glory

of God and so do coral reefs, Sequoias, anthills African American teenagers, first responders and

law enforcement officers, protesters, and preschoolers. A God-filled world inspires reverence

for life and ethical consideration for every creature. Black lives matter! Blue lives matter! All

lives matter! In the interdependent world of God’s Beloved community, we all have a place, we

all belong, we all deserve respect. Seeing sanctuary everywhere leads to being sanctuary – a

sacred place – to those whom we meet.

“Sanctuary Everywhere!” This is also profoundly political, challenging us to a politics of

hospitality and affirmation. The borderlands are holy lands. Immigrant families are holy

families. Strangers are angels in disguise. The ethics of sanctuary point us toward politics that

affirm creation and humankind in all its diversity. One of the great tragedies of American

Christianity is that when someone “finds the Lord,” as my evangelical parents affirmed, their

world often becomes smaller. They experience Jesus but then find their nourishment on

doctrinal and political views that reflect American individualistic and materialist values, the

various phobias of our time, and narrow ethical norms, rather than Jesus’ expansive vision and

the economic justice of the prophets.

“Sanctuary Everywhere!” is an invitation to welcome, affirm, and the transform our words into

personal and political actions, so that God’s realm come alive “on earth as it is in heaven.”

My morning encounter will stay with me. In a few minutes, I will go on my predawn walk, and

try to find the banner again. Whether or not I find it, I have been changed, for now I walk with

“sanctuary everywhere” and seek to be a sanctuary myself in my relationships and politics.

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Bruce Epperly is a “retired” pastor, professor, and author of over seventy books, including

“Mystics in Action: Twelve Saints for Today,” “Walking with Francis of Assisi: From Privilege

to Activism,” “Process Theology and Politics,” “Talking Politics with Jesus,” and “Prophetic

Healing: Howard Thurman’s Vision of Contemplative Activism.” He may be reached at

drbruceepperly@gmail.com