Monday December 01 2008 10:49:24 CST
An occasional letter from the office of the chaplain
of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans
Click here for previous editions of The Three Knots
Dear Precious Brothers and Sisters,
Peace and joy to you in this "the most wonderful time of the year." Whether or not you consider this to be true, (with lists flying and daytimers filling) you must admit that people in general are much more open to hearing the Good News of the gospel at this time of year.
My niece told me, "No wonder Jesus came as a baby…everyone LOVES babies!" Out of the mouths of babes. She’s right. Everyone DOES love babies…the image of the Christ child in a manger would not provoke anyone…however the Christ of the Cross, the Christ of the Resurrection and Christ our Coming King is most certainly provocative! I am grateful that our Lord knew as much as we needed a Messiah, we needed a Savior even more.
Yes, God sending to this dark and lonely planet His Son Jesus, via the form of a baby, was the beginning of a "Divine Conspiracy" that has been in place from the beginning of time.
Romans 2:4 says: "God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance." A favorite "version" of mine, The Message by Eugene Peterson says, "In kindness He takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change." Wow! RADICAL life change! From KINDNESS?!
As I reflect back on all that has been accomplished via our little order in 2006, my heart is warmed and full of gratitude and wonder. I am reminded that per God’s usual, God chooses the "ordinary" to do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God. As our order grows and we are represented in more and more countries around the world, I am in awe of the amount of ministry that goes on and goes forth from each one of you! Praise God for His creativity and desire to use willingness as much as giftedness!
I mentioned earlier that folks seem more open to the Gospel of Kindness this time of year…well, anytime of year! And when kindness DOES come our way, we are often caught off guard or by surprise. How sad to think that "random acts of kindness" are not the norm for our society but are rather the exception! God seeks to enter the heart of everyone on the planet…but He faces a significant obstacle in His conspiracy. The problem has never been the message…we get that straight…for the most part. The problem is not lack of an audience; plenty of people need to hear the Good News. God’s "problem" is the reluctant army He calls the Church. God is looking for people who are willing to join Him in acts of love and kindness shown to those outside their present comfortable circles. God’s problem is US.
But society is "hard" you say? Our society is "excitement saturated" you cry? What can WE do to capture the attention of society around us? The message of compassion, love and grace has ALWAYS drawn an audience…the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel compels people to WANT to hope. The message of God’s coming to be with us IS exciting! How many Kings do you know who will give up all they possess to go and live with and among the poor, outcast and disheartened? THAT, dear friends, IS the Good News of the gospel!
Does the Great Commission say, "Go into all the world (you who are gifted in the ministry of evangelism) and preach the Gospel?" NO! The original Greek is a word that is a declarative; a direct command. WE are ALL called to "Go and Tell." SO if the going and the message are not negotiable, then perhaps our approach IS. We cannot water down the Gospel in order to make it more palatable…Romans 1:16 says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes." So we can’t tamper with the "what"…but we CAN, perhaps, reconsider the "how."
A clarion call has gone out to all those who call Jesus their Lord and Savior: "GO and love!" One of the great things about our little order is that we are WITH the people. We are not cloistered nor are we "holed up" in a monastery somewhere. We, like Jesus and Francis, live in and among those to whom we would minister. In the coming year may God by His Spirit help us to find even more ways to put "hands and feet" to our faith! May we find ways to do random acts of kindness for those who live nearby. May we find a way to offer words of encouragement to someone halfway around the globe!
May the world know better the love, grace and compassion of Christ because of us. May the world say of us, the OEF, "Indeed, the Church has left the building!"
Because of the One Who Came as a Baby,
Sr Paula Clare Clouse
OEF Chaplain
Previous editions of The Three Knots
|
