Calvin Synod Herald, 1998 (98. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1998-11-01 / 6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 6 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Our Bishop's Christmas Letter igg8 At the approach of Christmas, we are always under great expectation for family reunions, gift giving and receiving, and a general feeling that there is still hope for peace on earth. Yet, Christmas stands for more than human pursuits regardless how noble and honorable they may be. In Christmas we see the manifestation of God's love and the evidence that in time His love will usher in a new age: the theocracy of God. Great expectations also filled the heart of the Hebrew people for the coming Messiah. At the birth of Jesus, however, their yearning was centered on national liberation and setting up the throne of King David. Thus, when He came, "His own did not know Him nor receive Him." (John 1:10-11). Their heart was filled with self-serving desires for national glory and power by the use of force. They were preoccupied with their own agendas rather than with the promises of God. There were but a few who had the spiritual vision and faith to receive the Babe of Bethlehem. Similarly, every time we celebrate Christmas, the heart of Christians is full of great expectation. During the four Advent Sundays preceding Christmas, we focus on the second appearing of parousia of the Savior who was first rejected, killed, but rose from the dead. The last book of the Bible ends exactly with such affirmation; "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20). We definitely have a momentous occasion to look forward to. But are we ready to receive Christ Jesus as did the shepherds of Bethlehem? Do we look for His appearing as the three wise men? Are we willing to announce His birth as the angels did and bear witness of His presence in our hearts? Or are we as complacent, self-centered, unfocused and preoccupied with material living as the mass of humanity in Bethlehem. This Christmas let us joyfully give thanks for the Lord of our lives who came to ransom us from sin and secured our salvation. Let us focus on the promises of God, which always come to pass, and give thanks for the unfathomable riches of His love, mercy and grace. By Bishop Louis Medgyesi ”/Z am not all - alone/ (Dr. László Ravasz, bishop, wrote this masterly and shocking prayer on his 90th birthday in 1972.) I am left all alone. My dear ones are spread all over, each to his or her own. Those, who were my dearest ones, entered into the Eternal Home, joining Him who loved them the most and whose love cannot be equally returned. Others found their mates here in this earthly life and are wholeheartedly attached to them. / remained here all alone! Oh! this loneliness often feels like an unbearabk burden. / am so thirsty after those, who broke away from me, like a dry branch of tree for its fallen Eaves; like an empty nest ofa bush after its birds flown overseas. I am surrounded with loving souls, who treat me with tenderness and love, but through the distances of life-spans, we loot at each other like travellers of two ships approaching each other so that they could sail into opposite directions forever. There is no one now, who can understand me. My memories are uninteresting to others, my feelings meet with good-will, but no echo returns as an answer. Like if a wall of glass would have inserted itself between me and this world. I fel superfluous! But when my soul listens to Cods Word and immerses in the knowledge of His council, then with warmed up heart I do realize this to be not as a punishment but as a precious gift. Cod is preparing me to my time approaching Him. His holy hand takes away from me one by one what this world has given me, because He wants me alone and wants me to want Him and Him alone. He wraped me up in thousandfold relationships here below and now He wants to unwrap me. He wants me not to look backwards, like Lots wife, because I am fleeing from a burning world toward His homeward calling arms. He is preparing me for my companionship with Him and exclusively just with Him. He wants me to make Him my allin-all, for soon / have to pass through the narrow plank, where memories will become burdens, when He alone is the only help. He alone embraces me, carries me in His strong arms to the World beyond. I begin to feel the joy of meeting Him in agorgious palace. Behind me the door of forsaken world gets to be closed, the chaos of this world comes to an end. The wreats of all my memories roll-down, all scars expire; as like a heron shaking off the water from its feathers before takint the flight. Inner memories are calling me home, into my eyes drizzks the blinding from the halfway opened door filling my entire self: who is the one l will now see, when with my impaired feet I step over the threshold? Here now all declare His glory, this is His gold-engraven Vestibule. His worshipers, servants, palace people speak about Him and all halls are filed with the glory of his Name. / feel His presence, He is with me! His great and blessed Love surrounds me. I embrace His promises, trusting in the One, whom He sent for me, who with His precious blood sealed my invitation. No! No! I am not ahne anymore! The Father is with me! My lips are now closed but my soul now sings. Synod's Vacant Pulpits Bridgeport, CT Columbus, OH Gary, IN Kalamazoo, Ml Those interested in applying for these positions are asked to contact the Bishop.
