Calvin Synod Herald, 1992 (92. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1992-01-01 / 1. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

From the Hungarian of the venerable Bishop László Ravasz, when at age 90, translated by Stephen Sziarto.

I’ve been left alone. My dear ones have gone their ways, each to his own. Those who were dearest to me have gone to their eternal home. Gone to Him, who loved them best and whom they could not have loved enough. The others have found mates in this world and serve each other with their lives. Only I have remained alone.

There are times when lonesomeness burdens my soul. I so long for those who have broken away from me, as the dried branch aches for its fallen leaves, as the empty nest in the bush longs for its far flown inhabitant. There are dear souls ’round about me, surrounding me with gentleness and love, but generation gaps constrain us to view each other like tourists on ships meeting at sea: they approach each other only to depart forever.

There is none to understand, my memories are of no interest to others. My feelings find goodwill, but I sense no echo. It is as though a glass wall has been lowered between me and the world. It seems as though I am superfluous. As though living here is untimely, not unlike a forgotten lifeless leaf on a bough whose springtime is no longer the same as mine.

But when my soul is attentive to God’s word and becomes engulfed in understanding His counsel, then it is with everwarming spirituality that I realize that this is not a punishment, but rather a gift. God is preparing me to approach Him ever closer. Piece by piece His sacred hand takes from me all that the world has given, because He wants me unencumbered: me, alone. He had clothed me with this world’s thousand-fold relationships. Slowly now He frees me. He doesn’t want me to look backward as did Lot’s wife, to a burning city, to a passing world — seeking refuge from this temporal world, I heed His welcoming arms. He is preparing me to be alone in His company. He is to be my everything for soon I will have to cross the narrow plank, where all will forsake me, where none can assist me. Where memories will be burden, where He alone is my help. He alone will sustain me and in His strong arms carry me to the other side.

I am beginning to feel as though I am going to a wondrous palace for a wonderful meeting. Behind me will close the door of a departed world, dear and painful tumult will be silenced. I will be shed of its memories, its crowns, its wounds, as an egret shaking water off its feathers as it rises on silvery wings. From inside will come inviting sounds of paeans; glorious light from a door ajar will fill my eyes and permeate my whole being. Whom am I going to meet when I cross the threshold with my stumbling steps? Now everthing bespeaks His golden abode. His followers, His servants, the mansion’s retinue speak, even in silence, of Him; all the halls are filled with the glory of His name. I feel His nearness. His great, blessed love is with me. I press His promises to my heart and trust in Him, whom He sent for me, and who with His blood ensured my life, assured my calling.

I am not alone! My Father is with me. My lips may be silent, but my weary soul now sings!!!

MAGYAR SYNOD’S MOTTO:

Traditions-embracing FAITH from the PAST, fervent HOPE for us in the PRESENT, in LOVE’s service for the FUTURE!

Hagyományokat építő HIT a MÚLT-ból élő REMÉNY a JELEN- ben a SZERETET-nek JÖVŐ-t építő szolgálatában!

An After Christmas message to all Christian Churches

(including the ones in Magyar Calvin Synod)

Ten Little Christians

Ten little Christians, standing in a line,

One didn't like the preacher, then there were nine.

Nine little Christians stayed up very late,

One slept on Sunday morning, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians on the road to heaven,

One took the lower road, and then there were seven.

Seven little Christians got in an awful fix,

One didn’t like the music, then there were six.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive,

But one lost her interest, then there were five.

Five little Christians wishing there were more,

But they quarreled with each other, Then there were four.

Four little Christians, cheerful as could be,

But one lost his temper, then there were three.

Three little Christians knew not what to do,

One joined a sporty crowd, then there were two.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is almost done,

Differed with each other, and then there was one.

One lone Christian won her neighbor true,

Brought her with her to church,

And then there were two!

Two earnest Christians each won one more,

That doubled their number, so then there were four!

Four sincere Christians worked very late,

But each won another, so then there were eight!

Eight splendid Christians, but nothing rhymes with “Sixteen ", so we simply note in seven more jingles There would be 1024 Christians, which would be quite a church-full!

by Vernon Leslie Smith

I’ve been left alone