Magyar Egyház, 1972 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1972-05-01 / 5. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ IN GOD’S SERVICE Ordination and Installation Sermon of Stefan M. Torok I have stood before you many times, with the robe of the Hungarian Reformed Minister draped around my shoulders. I have opened my heart to you, with God’s spirit and strength upholding me, so that you, too, may increase your spiritual wealth through faith in God. We often celebrated together, and I shared your joy and we often mourned together and I, too, bowed my head crying tears of sympathy. Til now I felt I was but a good Samaritan, who by virtue of his own free will walked with you the road of life and helped when and where it was necessary. Today my entire life has changed, for it is no longer I but God, who is commanding me, because I have vowed to follow Christ, even unto the end of the earth. I have vowed to hunger, as he hungered, and comfort as he comforted those who were saddened. Man can easily be fooled by outward appearances; the white clothes symbolic of life and gaiety— can quickly change to black—symbolic of mourning. The changes taking place in a man’s soul can only be seen by one who never looks at outward appearances but rather seeks the invisible. The black robe I wear today did not change me, since physically I am the same as I was yesterday, but I am convinced I have changed, because of my inner feelings. The oath I have taken, is engraved on my heart, and I must fulfill its requirements. Isn’t it strange how a man can feel compelled after taking an oath. In marriage the partners become as one by the vows they exchange and together it starts them on their lifelong road together with God’s help and love; and yet, how often do we find them drifting apart. At court trials a person swears to tell the truth, the whole truth, and yet how often do we find this same person breaking the ninth commandment: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbour”. Before approaching the Lord’s table we vow to surrender our entire life to God and yet how often, even before reaching the doors on our way out, we are already busily scheming to take advantage of our fellow man. The oath a minister makes seems to be more binding than just a wordly vow. If you have never made a life-time covenent with God then you cannot know how demanding it is, how it actually compels you to faithfulness. This is how I feel today — compelled—; today, when I accepted to carry the yoke of my fellowman and accepted to become the preacher of love, to preach love even though hate may dwell in my heart; to be understanding though I myself may be misunderstood; to never submit to the man within me, — no matter the disappointments — but to God alone. Man cannot completely change from one moment to the next. My heart, like those of other men, is filled with selfish thoughts, but I feel that there is someone else residing in my heart now, who is warning me continually and reminding me of my sinfulness. I felt, He wanted to tell me something, and I listened! He asked and I answered; He called and I responded. I took up my cross and followed Him! It has never been easy, and today He demands even more of me. Yet today He also prepared a table for me and said — If you hunger and thirst, here is the fountain and bread of life, eat and drink, and when you find any other of my children hungry and thirsty, freely give them of the water and bread of life. Yes, He called me, to teach me His ways, the paths of righteousness. He called me, to teach me the meaning of loneliness — for from my Mother — so that I may learn the meaning of love for others. He called me, and now I feel secure and at home — even in a strange land — beside Him. And today you, the Congregation, have given me a home. Today I bow my head in thanksgiving and in the hope of being able to love and serve you and to find in you my Mother, my Father and my mission in life. Miraculously the Lord showed me, that you had need of me, that you were thirsty and hungry; He called me and led me here to serve you with all I have, that I might hold the star of Bethlehem before you, that I may give witness to you of the saving power of the One who has risen from the dead—our Saviour, Jesus Christ. God has called me, but in His wisdom He also gave me a help mate to aid me with her strength should I weaken in the struggle. He has blessed me with people who with their love show me that I am not alone. As I look back on my life, I find that there are many people whom I owe a debt of gratitude, but primarily I owe a debt of gratitude to God, who strengthened me and called me to His service. Like Paul, the Apostle, I, too, stand before my Lord and place my life into His loving hands as I start my life of service for Him. I am confident, that I will not be alone from this day forward, because He has entrusted me with souls to be ministered to and He has revealed His glorious nature to me. I will not be alone even if everyone were to abandon me for I believe that if God is with me, then none can be against me! I stand before God, today, in appreciation for this blessed hour in which He called me to do His work. I realize that human strength for the works of God is weak and frail, but I trust that you all will remain by my side so that together we may work to advance Gods’ kingdom here on earth.
