Even every confirmand...
Illustration
Object:
Even every confirmand could probably quote this passage or a list of other passages that he might be called upon to give. Our faith is more than just memorizing passages that tell us what to do (or not to do). They may roll off our lips with ease, but then Jesus may make it more complicated by giving us examples. In my Nepal ministry I concentrated on Jesus' parables. My students had to translate them into their culture and many were amazed at what they learned.
It is easy to know the generalities, but when all those examples come up they may make it harder to accept. If Jesus were with us today, would his example be a black man? Would it be someone of the wrong party? A non-Lutheran or even a non-Christian? How far would we go to help bind up the wounds of an Arab, an Iranian, a known socialist, a fundamentalist, a Roman Catholic, or anyone else you can think of who might be on your most hated list. It is so easy to generalize God's commands, but if we start naming individual cases it gets sticky.
I see in the news that there are some of our soldiers in Afghanistan who have helped even an enemy when they needed help. In so doing they sometimes won them to love and respect the rest of us (and maybe our faith!). That Samaritan went overboard and spent some of his hard-earned money and time from his busy schedule to help a hated opponent.
Even those on the same side passed that needy person up. When I was driving in downtown Chicago a number of years ago, I saw two children on the curb huddled together from the chilly weather. I passed by thinking that something ought to be done by the city to help children like that. I thought of bringing it up at a church council meeting. The next day I was filled with shame for being the priest who passed by on the other side, when I read an article in the paper. A reporter was following a man in a Cadillac passing that corner. He saw him slam on his brakes, jump out, take off his big fur-lined coat, and put it around those kids. I had to ask myself, which was I? If I didn't want to sound too sorry, I might say, "The one who showed mercy on them." That makes it more generalized!
What else can we add to that story than Jesus' words "go thou do likewise"? Now we are hooked!
It is easy to know the generalities, but when all those examples come up they may make it harder to accept. If Jesus were with us today, would his example be a black man? Would it be someone of the wrong party? A non-Lutheran or even a non-Christian? How far would we go to help bind up the wounds of an Arab, an Iranian, a known socialist, a fundamentalist, a Roman Catholic, or anyone else you can think of who might be on your most hated list. It is so easy to generalize God's commands, but if we start naming individual cases it gets sticky.
I see in the news that there are some of our soldiers in Afghanistan who have helped even an enemy when they needed help. In so doing they sometimes won them to love and respect the rest of us (and maybe our faith!). That Samaritan went overboard and spent some of his hard-earned money and time from his busy schedule to help a hated opponent.
Even those on the same side passed that needy person up. When I was driving in downtown Chicago a number of years ago, I saw two children on the curb huddled together from the chilly weather. I passed by thinking that something ought to be done by the city to help children like that. I thought of bringing it up at a church council meeting. The next day I was filled with shame for being the priest who passed by on the other side, when I read an article in the paper. A reporter was following a man in a Cadillac passing that corner. He saw him slam on his brakes, jump out, take off his big fur-lined coat, and put it around those kids. I had to ask myself, which was I? If I didn't want to sound too sorry, I might say, "The one who showed mercy on them." That makes it more generalized!
What else can we add to that story than Jesus' words "go thou do likewise"? Now we are hooked!
