Calvin Synod Herald, 2016 (117. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2016-01-01 / 1-2. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

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Following the presentation, there was a time for questions. One professor stood up and said, “Professor Einstein, I have been working on a difficult mathematical problem, and I am glad you’re here. Here’s my problem,’’and he explained the problem he had been unable to solve. Einstein’s chauffer, dressed in Einstein’s clothing, had no idea what the man was talking about, but being quick on his feet, said: “Oh that, it is so simple, I will have my Chauffer explain it to you,” and he called Einstein to the microphone to respond to the question.

While this is probably not a true story, it illustrates a truth: We can know many things, we can even learn and repeat things we have heard many times, but that doesn't mean we understand what they truly mean.

We just finished the celebration of the Birth of Jesus - the coming of God's Son into the world. Do we really know what that means? Do we understand why he came? Do we understand the intent that God had when he sent his Son as a living example of what he wanted us to understand, how he wants us to live, how we should treat each other?

This is very succinctly presented to us in Luke 10. Jesus asks, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" Like the young man, we all know the answer. Then Jesus tells the story of the "Good Samaritan" - which we all know - and he says, "Go and do likewise."

There are times when we know the "story", we know all the words, we can repeat things, but that doesn't mean we know what they mean in our own personal lives.

Jesus came to teach us God's desire for the way we should live our lives. Do we understand that if we do not make his teaching part of our lives, then the Christmas we just celebrated is, in fact, totally meaningless? We can explain the meaning of Christmas and Christ's coming to our children, to others who might be unfamiliar with what the message is, but words do not, in fact, convey to others what this really means. Our actions convey to our children, to other church members and to strangers what Christmas truly means to us.

What kind of message should our lives be teaching? The message is shown and exemplified by Jesus in the Gospels.

In Luke, he tells us: "Judge not...condemn not...forgive... " Later he says: "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness....he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." And he cautioned us about being prideful: "When you are invited do not sit down in a place of honor... But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place..." And in John he tells us "...go, andfrom now on sin no more."

And there are positive commands on how to live our lives - again from Luke: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." "And as you wish that men would do

to you, do so to them." "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." In the story of the Good Samaritan he tells us that every person is our neighbor, and we should show mercy on all. And later, a lesson on how are we to deal with others who are not of our community? "...when you give a feast, invite the poor..."

Truly understanding that these are the things that the Birth of Christ - Christmas - introduced into the world as the way God wants us to live with others means that they become the way we live. In as much as Christ lives in us, so will his teachings.

Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, Bishop

I am the Life

In 2006 a study was done on the lifespan of people. It was determined that the average person would be alive for around 65 years. That is 3,380 weeks, or 23,725 days, or 569,400 hours, or 34,164,000 minutes, or 2,049,840,000 seconds that the average person is alive. Of course I just wasted like 10 of those seconds.. .so sorry about that. When you look at that, do you ever wonder: why? I mean when you see that life is really only a few thousand weeks, or a few million hours do you ever wonder what’s the point? What is life? How are we to understand what the purpose of life is? Do we exist simply as a countdown of seconds, a perpetual ticking clock? What is this life?

Jesus says “I am the Way the Truth and the Life no one comes to the father except through me.” What is life? Jesus boldly says that He is life. What does He mean? What is life all about? What life is Jesus talking about?

This life is not always fun. While there certainly are good moments, sometimes this life can be hard, and full of pain. We have this void inside of us.. .this emptiness that we cannot understand but we need to fill. Sometimes we just feel so alone...so hurt...so burdened. Where do we tum in such times of pain? To things that satisfy?

The most obvious of these things for man is alcohol. Drink enough alcohol and everything seems better. It is the lovely little vacation for your mind. I mean sure it impairs your judgment, but that’s half the fun right? Alcohol makes life’s problems seem bearable...tolerable, or at least manageable. Alcohol makes you feel good...it helps you forget. Alcohol satisfies. At least...that’s what the world says.

Of course there are some hurts too great for alcohol to heal... so for others there are drugs. These are the ultimate escape, the ultimate euphoria. Take drugs and your life will be care free. All your worries go away...and life is good. Right?

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