A Message from the Pastor (May 07)
From
the Pastor
I was visited on the day after Easter by a Jehovah’s
Witness. I vaguely remember this happening last year on the same day, so
apparently I am on the “schedule.” That is in spite of my telling them,
repeatedly, that I am “somewhat” involved in a congregation as a pastor.
Now I understand they undergo some rigorous training in
interpreting the Bible in their own manner. This individual went on and
on about how terrible society has become, and what is God going to do
about it? My response was that we trust God is ultimately in control, so
why worry? Well, the Book of the Acts tells us time and again that St.
Paul “argued” with those who challenged his understanding of Jesus as the
Son of God. On occasion he “persuaded” some. Apparently none of them was
a Witness!
So how do we as Christians respond to those who almost
always have a programmed response or retort to what we try to say? What I
noticed (in hindsight, of course) was that the woman confronting me had
absolutely no joy in her take on faith. Her responses were dutiful,
argumentative, and “logical” because she picked and chose of Scripture.
We are in
the Easter Season, but Easter does not fade away after the Day of
Pentecost. In fact, we celebrate Easter every Sunday of the year, because
our faith is based on the crucified and risen Jesus who rose on the first
day of the week. That is why we celebrate Jesus’ presence among us with
the Eucharist. He who is truly present in the bread and the wine
continually strengthens us for daily living. And a part of that living is
the joy of being in this saving relationship with our Lord. The gospel
lesson from Easter II tells of the appearance of Jesus in the upper room
on Easter Eve. Except for Mary Magdalene, none of the disciples had
experienced the risen Lord. Then he appears in their midst. Their
response? Then the disciples rejoiced
when they saw the Lord.
We simply cannot have an intelligent, mutual discussion of
faith when the other person is so opinionated and closed to other
possibilities of reading Scripture. But we can all witness to the joy of
knowing Jesus, crucified and risen, in our lives. The next time I am
accosted I will try to convey that great gift of the Christian faith.
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