Fraternity-Testvériség, 2008 (86. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2008-01-01 / 1. szám
CALVIN SYNOD—UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST EASTER GREETINGS John 21:13-18 records for us an incident that happened more than a week following Jesus’ resurrection: “Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that 1 love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." John goes on to tell us that Jesus was referring to Peter’s own future. The passage is much richer for us today when we look at the totality of the message. Three times Peter is asked, “Do you love me?”, and three times he answers, “You know I love you. ” Jesus’ response to Peter each time is to instruct him how he should demonstrate his love - Peter is to care for the flock. Saying we love Jesus is not enough - we must demonstrate our love for Christ by our caring for His sheep, our fellow man. This is our calling as a church that claims to be part of the body of Christ. This is our calling as Christians: "Feed my lambs", "Tend my sheep", "Feed my sheep”. The historic Christian Church has remained faithful to Christ when it fulfilled its calling in two fundamental ways: preaching the Gospel, and caring for our fellow man. As a result, the legacy of Christianity includes the establishment of missions, schools, hospitals, orphanages and homes for the elderly, all in response to Jesus’ command to bring to life the “love” we profess. The Fraternal organizations established by our faithful forebearers are one more expression of “bringing to life” Christ’s command to show our love through deeds, rather than just words. When we are faithful to the ideals of our fraternal organizations, supporting their benevolent programs and their missions, aiding our youth with scholarships and our elderly with loving care, we continue to exemplify the ideals that reflect adherence to Christ’s command to care for each other. Our fraternal organizations offer us one more benefit: we come together as Christians of various denominations and traditions, fulfilling Christ’s desire to be one, not separated by the various creeds which tend to divide us in our worship settings. Here we can join together to actively show our love for Christ. At Easter we celebrate the promise of the new life Christ offers us through His love. He is Risen, and His resurrection offers us hope and a new future. We are called to bring to life His words, to show that the love He has bestowed upon us is alive within us, and in the process share His blessings with those to whom He has sent us. I wish you the Blessing of the Resurrected Christ this season, and may He find in you a loving heart embracing the promise of life which He offers to all who believe and follow Him. Rt. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig, Bishop fniurii tthit—^— adversary? However such kind of triumph is based on physical and mental superiority. Easter morning the empty tomb unveils the secret of another victory. It was not heralded by an emperor’s decree, or announced by the chief priest in the temple, but simple believing hearts witnessed it and spread the good news. The enemy was not a hostile army or a vicious person but a spiritual tragedy, separation from God. It started with Adam and Eve with their disobedience and its consequence, namely their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Please read Genesis 3. The victory of resurrection is God’s gift and not human achievement, it was won by Jesus Christ for the sake of millions of believers, it is not physical but spiritual, it did not originate from anger and retaliation but from love and sacrifice, it is not for the time being only but for everlasting. Apostle Paul described this victory in this way: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:16, and our Lord: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” John 11:25. The military victory is gory; the victory of Easter is glory. Fraternity - Testvériség - Winter 2007/Spring 2008 5
