Fourth Sunday of Easter
(Click here for readings)
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.”
So…who do you listen to? God? Your friends? Your boyfriend or girlfriend?
Who do you follow? What are you going after? Money? Power? Fame?
It’s wise that we ask these questions once in a while. I think it helps put things in perspective.
I just read that Tamerlan, the oldest brother of the terrorist Tsarnaev brothers, was married. It’s been reported that his wife, Katherine, converted to Islam. If this is true, then I wonder what she brought to the relationship. Was it her great looks? Was it her intelligence? Was it her smile and personality? Whatever it was, it obviously wasn’t her Christian faith. How sad. How very sad for her, her husband and their 3-year-old child, for imagine if she had converted him to Christianity. Wow! What different lives they would be living today. What different lives the victims in Boston would be living today! How different this past week would be! How different America would be. How different world history would be.
Unfortunately it didn’t go that way. Instead, it went the wrong way. A great opportunity was lost and it all went terribly wrong.
Of course we cannot blame Katherine for what happened, unless she secretly knew what was going on in her husband’s heart and mind. But I don’t think I’m a dreamer when I say that if she had been much stronger in her faith than he was, then maybe, just maybe, Tamerlan’s heart and mind would have changed, and changed for the better. For it’s amazing what a convinced Christian can do. It’s amazing what they can teach others: “Love those who hate you Tamerlan. Do good to those who insult you. Forgive them seven times seventy-seven times.”
I’m convinced it would have changed things for the better.
We Christians often think about what they can do to help victims, and rightly so. Unfortunately, what we don't think enough about is what we can do to prevent them.
We Christians often think about what they can do to help victims, and rightly so. Unfortunately, what we don't think enough about is what we can do to prevent them.
Recently, the Richard’s family came out with a beautiful, meaningful and prayerful statement to reporters that utterly amazed me and (I think) the nation. Mind you, this statement was written after the death and capture of the two Boston terrorists, the devastating loss of their 8-year-old son, Martin Richard, and the serious injuries inflicted on his mother and sister. It read as follows:
“Our family wishes to salute the thousands of officers and agents from Boston, Cambridge and Watertown Police & Fire Departments, Massachusetts State Police, FBI, ATF and other police departments and agencies who worked and collaborated around the clock to bring the perpetrators of Monday’s attack to justice. …It worked, and tonight, our community is once again safe from these two men. None of this will bring our beloved Martin back, or reverse the injuries these men inflicted on our family and nearly two hundred others. We continue to pray for healing and for comfort on the long road that lies ahead for every victim and their loved ones.”
Wow! How uplifting!
At the finish line of the Boston marathon and scene of the horrific explosion, there is a make-shift memorial to the victims of the bombing. Thousands of strangers have left flowers and prayers in support of people they never knew. What a fitting tribute and act of defiance from the people of Boston. They will not be intimidated by violence or terrorism.
How amazing!
In Boston, people are coming together and hugging one another like never before. Just a few days ago, at Fenway park, the crowd sang the Star Spangled Banner in a way never song before. And let’s not forget that after the last terrorist was captured, the crowd cheered and applauded the police officers that risked their lives to bring peace to their neighborhood and city.
How hopeful!
Some people think a lot of good can come from evil. Some people think these terrorists actually brought Bostonians closer together. Well, let’s hope and pray that we don’t ever need their “help” again. We don't need their "help" at all.
Let’s live and love like we’ve never done before. Let’s follow the example of our Lord.
Thank you for today's column - unable to open the readings not sure why. thank you
ReplyDelete