Let them have bread.

A few years ago, I was co-ordinating a dialogue programme between leaders of the Christian and Muslim faiths in Belfast on the question of the meaning of Forgiveness in the sacred texts of each faith.

I had become aware that certain publicly voiced stereotypes were prescribing to each sentiments that the faithful of each faith would both deny with their words and defy with their actions.

So, for four Wednesdays, we gathered. I was keen to make it a warm space of welcome, and wondered how to do it.

Such as is the way of things, something out of the blue occurred. A friend gave me a recipe for bread that I had requested. This bread had been the breakfast beginning to a lovely Christmas day – warm from the oven, with salmon, cheese and melting butter.

So, each of our Forgiveness in the Sacred Text meetings began with bread, melting butter and fruity jam. We had rich and meaningful discussions.

Last week, meeting with the director of the Belfast Islamic Centre, we shared more bread. I had brought some along as a happy memory of our time shared. He insisted on giving me half of his lunch. We sat at a table, drinking tea, discussing how the Muslim Community in Belfast may wish to be involved in some of the Irish Peace Centre’s Faith in Positive Relations programmes. Sharing bread, conversation, and enjoyment with Muhammad reminded me of a few things – diversity is never about conformity. He and I have studied different things, speak different languages, and look at the world through many different lenses. But, there is a deeper connection than ticking boxes of agreed-upon cultural lenses – there is the connection of friendship, and shared experience, and the trust to ask questions when something is not understood.

In September, a new programme of Faith in Positive Relations programmes will be launched. Bringing congregation and faith-community groups together to speak about what’s important for them about their faith, we will explore who it is that we would like to meet, and we will provide the space for relationship to flourish.

 Adrian Van Kaam wrote that human encounter is the essence of cure in the deepest sense. In the context of a region that has known conflict, it is not our religious dogmas that need cure, but rather, our cure is about restoring the depth of relationship across divides that have become fractious. And human beings are full of the richness that makes such relationships possible – with a little trust, and a little time, and some good warm bread.