Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-03-01 / 3. szám
2 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Lenten Meditations I WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Shakespeare asked, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet” (Romeo and Juliet, II). Perhaps so, but for a person it is important to have an honorable name, for it stands for character. The writer of Proverbs said, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (22:1). Do we really believe that? This Lenten season, beginning on Ash Wednesday, is a good time to take a searching look at our values. There is the name we inherit. Most of us have received the legacy of a good name. Our parents bore theirs with honor, should we value ours. Where heritage has been deficient, the individual by faith and effort can do much to compensate for it. There is the name we choose. We decide what our character shall be. Our thoughts, acts, and habits form our character. We don’t ooze into character; we have to work for it. We bear the name of “Christian”. If we really are sincere about following Christ, we shall bear His name proudly. We shall be aware of our human sinfulness, but we shall know that we are forgiven sinners. That name which is above every name shall have our loyalty. II HOW OLD ARE YOU? When Pharaoh, the ruler of ancient Egypt, asked Jakob “How old are you?” (Genesis 47:8), the patriarch replied, “few and troublesome have been my years.” Yet at the time he was 130 years old. There are two ways of measuring life — merely by the passage of the years, or by our achievement. Simply to live a long time means very little unless our stay upon earth has been marked by service to our fellowmen and the Kingdom of God. A person may die at an early age, and yet have accomplished much. Alexander “the Great” died at 33, having conquered militarily much of the then known world. Jesus died at the same age — and of Him it can be said that He was really “Great.” His rule is in the love and loyalty of countless millions. Whether our lives are short or long, the most important fact about them is that we have used our time well. The Roman philosopher Seneca said, “We complain that our life is too short and yet we live as though it would have no end.” The Psalmist said, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (90:12). Paul said, “redeem the time!” (Ephesians 5:15). Use it well! III HOW TALL ARE YOU? Abraham Lincoln was once asked, “How tall should a man be?” He replied, “Tall enough so that his legs reach the ground.” That makes sense. But mere height is not enough. In spite of “men of great stature” in the land of Canaan, the Israelites were able to conquer it. Goliath, the giant, almost ten feet tall, was slain by the lad David, with a well-aimed stone from a sling-shot. There is a spiritual tallness of which Paul was speaking when he prayed that we might come “unto the measure of the fullness of the Stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). You can be properly humble before God, and still walk tall before your fellowmen. Walk tall is personal dignity, integrity, and achievement. Don’t crawl, don’t abase yourself. “Rise up, 0 men of God!” “Stand up, stand up for Jesus!” No person is so tall as when he stoops to help another person. IV HOW MUCH DO YOU WEIGHT? This is, these days, a rather personal question, and risks the answer, “That’s none of your business!” Many people in this time of relative affluence are trying to lose weight and perhaps a little Lenten self-discipline will aid toward that end. The real point of the question, “How much do you weigh?” is of course in terms of character and spirituality. To try to be “Mr. Big” by our aggressiveness really shows that we are really very little. But to seek to be largehearted, generous, and compassionate is a goal worthy of a Christian. Each person counts as one, but a man of character and Christian faith can weigh in making his influence felt far beyond just adding another vote. “One man, one vote” is not the way the Kingdom grows. “One man with God is a mighty power for good!” Let us make our weight felt by our openness to God, our willingness to learn, and our enthusiasm. We shall develop a sense of responsibility by carrying our own weight and by helping others. We are either burdenbearers or burdens. We shall balance mature judgment with eagernes to be of service to God and our fellowman. March, 1973___________________________Volume 73, No. 3 Published monthly except June-July and August-September when bi-monthly. Editor-In-Chief: The Right Reverend Arpad L. Beretz, Bishop Editor: REV. FRANCIS VITÉZ 493 Amboy Ave., Perth Amboy, N.J. 08861 Phone: (201) 826-3513 Subscription—Előfizetés: évi $3.50 yearly. Printed by Standard Press, New Brunswick, N. J. Second class postage paid at New Brunswick, N. J. 08901 Send Form 3579 to Calvin Synod Herald — Reformátusok Lapja, Circulation Department, New Parker Photo Offset Printing Co., 163 Albany Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
