Loading...Dear Friends in Christ,
My heart goes out to those in Boston who were killed, injured, mentally harmed, and just plain scared in the recent terrorist bombing. I can't imagine the terror they felt. Nor can I imagine that a person would do such a horrendous act, especially in the name of God -- any God. I am so thankful that I believe in a God of love who tells us to love our enemies instead of a God who wants his followers to kill. Someone once said the difference between Christianity and another major religion is that one dies for his people and the other asks the people to die for him.
Christians are not a perfect people by any means. What has been done to indigenous people around the world is horrific. What has been done to those who believed differently in our own faith is appalling, too; the inquisition is just one example. It is a shameful part of our history and is nothing to brag about. However, overall we have grown in our acceptance and love for all of God's children. It was good Christian people who led the fight to outlaw slavery and to treat women equally. I believe that we as a people are growing into the beings God wants us to be. We are not there yet, but we are better than we used to be.
I wonder where all the people who follow the same faith as the bombers in Boston, who understand love for one another, are in this recent attack on innocent men, women and children. I have not heard of a single one who has condemned this attack or even 9/11. Christians do stand up and condemn churches like Westboro Baptist Church that is the epitome of judgmentalism and hatred.
I believe in prayer and love; that's what Jesus taught. He said,
"You have heard that is was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collecters do the same? By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Loving one another unconditionally is hard; it is probably the hardest thing we will ever do. Being a Christian means that we are to be like Christ. Because we are human, we are flawed; it is an impossibility for us. God knows that. That is why He saves us by His grace. He loves even though sometimes we are unloveable. All He asks of us is for us to strive to be like Christ. Try with our whole being to be loving, forgiving, and serving. It is not easy, but the rewards are so great. May God bless you and keep you always.
In Christ's Love,
Father Russ
