No man is an island

John Donne declared “no man is an island.” As we face a global pandemic, global environmental crisis’ and global political polarization we need to hear those words like never before.

It is easy to respond to external threats by labeling and blaming. The simplest and perhaps most damaging forms of labeling and blaming are racism and sexism, but we also use labels like “liberals”, “conservatives” and “greenies” to broadly group and blame.

The more we divide the world into “us” and “them,” the more isolated we all become.

The reality is that many of the challenges we face right now cannot be fixed by defeating a group of people, but rather by realising we are all in the same boat.

In 1623, John Donne fell seriously ill and the experience drove him to deep reflection about the nature of humanity. His illness showed him something that we all need to hear: 

For whom the bell tolls

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

This world wants you to see yourself as an island in a war to dominate other islands. John Donne reminds us that actually we are all connected, and if I lose you then I really lose.

This, of course, is the truth that the Christian church is meant to embody. This is not some small point in the bible… it is a major theme:

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:44

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.”

John 17:20-22

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:27

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:10

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

Ephesians 2:14-15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

Colossians 3:15

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

1 John 2:9

An honest reading of the Bible shows that God is calling us beyond isolation towards each other.

Realizing that we are just a part of the continent as Donne called humanity, or the body as Paul called the church, has significant ramifications.

Each of us is made bigger and better by the others, and we are diminished when others are diminished or lost.

No man (or woman) is an island… and we need to remember that as we face the huge challenges in front of us.