The Power of Being a Bystander

Dear Friends,

I have on my desk a photo cut out of the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper, 14 people standing curbside with the Cup Foods store in Minneapolis behind them.
            One couple held their child’s hands between them.

            Four had camera phones going.
            They were black and white – people who lived in the neighborhood as well as             

            passersby.

During the trial of George Floyd’s murderer, Derek Chauvin, lawyers referred to this group as “bystanders.” Bystanders are witnesses to deeds. Often “bystander” implies no willingness to intervene. They look. They see. They keep silent.

These bystanders outside Cup Foods did not keep silent. One of the women with a camera, Darnella Frazier, recorded the whole time that George Floyd was under Derek Chauvin’s knee. Her video was corroborated by video surveillance from across the street. These videos became pivotal elements in the trial. Moreover, several bystanders went on to be formal witnesses at the trial.

Bystanders are a repeating part of history. They watched the Armenian genocide 106 years ago, the Holocaust, the systematic forced marches of Native Americans, their relocation and massacres.

There were bystanders in Scripture. They are thus called only in Mark, Matthew and Luke. Bystanders watched Jesus’ followers untie the colt that Jesus was to ride into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Two bystanders watched as a servant girl recognized Peter as a follower of Jesus, while he was keeping anonymous watch near the place where Jesus was taken. A bystander called out in Matthew and Mark that Jesus on the cross was crying out for Elijah. Singular voices. Who paid attention to them? The Gospel writers did.

No bystanders were at the tomb when Jesus was raised up. No bystanders were needed. This was a moment of faith beyond all imagining.

Christ lives, and He has not gone away. The Risen Christ has been with His people – all people – from that moment on.

Jesus was with the suffering Armenians, Native Americans, Jews and others who lost their lives in the Holocaust. He was with George Floyd. He is with us who have suffered at the hands of others. He is with us bystanders as we are caught in the presence of injustice.

When we come to the point of being bystanders, how can we take in and respect the truth of what we see and hear? These ways sound so simple, but they are arduous:
            Let’s keep Jesus in mind.
            Recognize those who are suffering as our brothers and sisters.
            Do what we can. Be ready to step forward, if possible.

            Pray that we may make a difference.

We can leave the George Floyd death behind us or we can understand that it is a part of our future – we who are bystanders who make an effort to see with Christ’s eyes.

~Sister Joan Sobala