Magyar Egyház, 1994 (73. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1994 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 19. oldal many living species in an intricate network of life. We have learned less so far about what must also exist, a network of interdependence, on the spiritual level, of being both human and nonhuman, angelic and otherwise. We and they are part of the same creation, not separated into isolated compartments. Their interest in us as natural as our interest in them. Insofar as they appear as servants or messengers of God, they are to be honored as such. But they are not to be worshipped, and we do not need them as object of worship. There is no substitute for God; and there is no place where God is absent, and needs a substitute. Edwin Stern THE LAST NIGHT OF ADVENT WITH LUKE The night was dark; it was close to the second watch, midnight in a few minutes. The heavy cedar door of Mary’s house opened just to a narrow slit, so a man could get out of the house without letting too much light on the street. It is late, and the night patrol of the Romans circulating in the streets of Jerusalem might get suspicious. There was to much coming and going into and out of this house. But there was nothing they could put their finger on. Yet, it was advisable to keep watch and not to become conspicuous. This was the reason why the men who left the house on that dark night slid cautiously through the door and vanished into the darkness in no time. There were four of them. One went alone, a heavy, tall, bearded man. It was Peter. King Herod put him into prison; leaders of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth were constantly vexed, never left in peace. One of them, Stephen, was stoned to death by the Jewish mob; others were persecuted by the King - it wasn’t long ago that James, the brother of Disciple John, was beheaded. Now Peter, the leader himself had been arrested. But as evening came and the prison quieted down and Peter himself dozed off, he was waked by a tap on his shoulder. He could hardly recall the fast course of events - it was a miracle, indeed - an angel stood there, the cell ablaze with light, Peter’s chains fell and he was led out, past the sentries, through the iron gate. And nobody seemed to notice them, nobody stopped them. Peter went straight to Mary’s house. This was the place where the brethren used to gather. He was imprisoned for more than a week and he was unable to send word to his friends. They must have been worried very much. Peter did not stay long in the house, just told about his miraculous escape and said he would leave the city for a while. The three others were younger men - Paul, Barnabas and John Mark, Mary’s son. They came to have a conference with James the Just and the elders about future plans of the church. They agreed that the Gospel should be preached outside of Jerusalem and Judea as well. This was the Master’s direct command, after all! They reported to the elders that they had already begun such work in Antioch. “And you know, brethren, we have a new name, too. We don’t know who thought it up, fact is that we are now spoken of as Christians. Christians we are called and some of our members use already the name; they like it. Christians... What do you think?” James the Just savored the word, repeating: “Christian... Christian... A nice name.” Then he looked up and said in a firm voice: “But it isn’t right! Christian means Christlike. Are we Christ-like? No, we are sinners’ We mustn’t let ourselves be called Christians; it’s blasphemy!” “I pray to object, James” - it was Simon of Cyrene who spoke. “I know we are sinners. 0, how I know it. I carried the cross of the Lord to be crucified... But didn’t he say he came to save sinners?” After a little pause Simon added: “And, you see, Christian means not only Christlike, it also mean ‘belonging to Christ’; don’t we all belong to him?” So it was settled and accepted. They would use the name from now on, Christians. James the Just still added a final word: “Remember the word does mean Christlike, too. So as you hear yourselves called Christians, it should always ring in your ears, and repeat in your heart: “Lord, I am a Christian—I want to be like Christ!” As the three men were cautiously proceeding towards the city gate they heard the snapping steps of the guard on the cobblestones. “Let’s wait awhile,” whispered Paul, pulling his two companions into an alley “We can wait until the guard changes; then let us find an opening: on the wall, we shall be safe on the open road to Antioch. The guard does not go outside the walls.” They squatted down in the alley. “What a night,” sighed John Mark. “Yes, what a night’” Barnabas echoed, “We have a new name! Christians!” “And we can take the Gospel of our Lord to the end of the earth. Just as the Master commanded us to do”—it was Paul who said this, and with an eager voice. They kept silence for awhile. Then it was Barnabas who spoke: “And Peter. I still don’t understand how he could escape? Three posts, three iron doors’” “Well, it was a miracle. Can’t you just leave it at that? With Jesus there is always a miracle. Never be surprised,” Paul’s voice was firm, commanding. John Mark spoke now: “You’re right, Paul. Never wonder about a miracle if it is about Jesus. Just remember what Mary was telling this evening before Peter came.” They remembered. The meeting that night had been prearranged. They decided some time ago that the words of the Master should be put down in writing. If they were to go out to the end of the earth to take
