Fraternity-Testvériség, 2005 (83. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2005-04-01 / 2. szám
Page 9 Fraternity-Testvériség glowing eulogy. How well we all know the importance of choosing the best words and the most effective speakers to praise the deceased, often at the expense of Scripture and a pastor’s suggestion. Like most ministers, Pastor Chuck knows all too well that people can forgive, but they will never forget; still he, like all clergymen, must strive for success under the constant threat of severance. As a former English teacher, I was struck with Rev. Jalso’s superb use of literary devices. His effective similes, such as comparing life events to a twisted cable, are memorable; i.e. (p. 40-41): “//? life, so many things are going on simultaneously, they run together like strands in a cable, twisting around each other from the beginning to the end. One or two strands may be cut; yet the cable still can serve its purpose. ” Rev. Jalso’s metaphors are also vivid; (p. 100-101): “As the light of a stroboscope makes objects visible in a dark room, the words of our Lord illuminated the Pastor's mind. ” And I learned from the book what “homiletics” is—the science of preaching wherein the text of the meditation and the ensuing message should match. I know that Rev. Jalso himself must be a fine preacher because that’s exactly what he does in his book; he presents this story of Pastor Chuck to illuminate Matthew 10:16 which states: “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ” Rev. Jalso also uses the symbols of “opening” and “closing.” He compares one of Pastor Chuck's parishioners with her open arms that greeted and helped others to Heaven’s door that is open to welcome her following her death. I could not help but be reminded of one of my own favorite sayings: “When God closes a window, he opens a door.” Rev. Jalso knows that the ministerial calling for seminarians is not easy, and ministers will have to be wise and gentle, so he tells a story of two envelopes found inside a retiring pastor’s desk and the two clergymen in this book who personify those two envelopes. Rev. Jalso is also aware of the effect of power on people; how they like it, how they obtain it, how they use it, and how long they wish to keep it. He warns of the effect of a strong, unchangeable leadership that emerges to consolidate a leader's influence and the resulting abuse or misuse of power that too often corrupts a church’s democratic proceedings. He’s also cognizant of leaders who go too far to seek their own gain at the expense of an entire organization. Often, they cannot be stopped or replaced, and organizations like a viable church then suffer. I appreciated Rev. Jalso’s depiction of the wise wives in this book who give sage advice to their husbands, but as I read the book, I wondered if the main character of Pastor Chuck who is understanding, smart, knowledgeable of scripture, and a wise advice giver was really Rev. Jalso himself. The advice Pastor Chuck offers to a couple about to be married sounded like Rev. Jalso himself when 1 once heard him admonish a man who complained about his wife: Remember that many marriages fail because both are waiting for the other to take the action and make “ME” happy. Both are waiting, but no one is acting. And Rev. Chuck’s lessons on hurt and punishment are so poignant that it seemed as though Rev. Jalso was personally comforting my husband after the Petőfi Club meeting attack in Venice, FL: Every punishment hurts but unjust punishment can hurt ten times more when there is no recourse to set things straight. I even posted Pastor Chuck’s Scripture lesson for my husband so that he can refer to it from time to time when criticism hurts, his character is impugned, and his motives are questioned: “Woe to you when all speak well of you. ” Luke 6:26 Over the years, Rev. Jalso, like Pastor Chuck, has learned that putting his teachings at the seminary into practice is not easy. When, in the book. Pastor Chuck is terminated, instead of leaving with bitterness, his commitment to the ministry is strengthened so he sets a fine example for the rest of us who face adversity, criticism, and rejection in spite of our most noble, honest, and well-intentioned efforts. I could
