Week of June 25, 2001
Lynn W.

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus."
     Acts 4: 11-13

What a wonderful image of living a Christian life to be recognized as Jesus' companion in our homes and workplace. Because Jesus is the cornerstone of our life, he becomes evident in how we interact with others. Some people feel that as individuals they can save the company from going bankrupt and protesters feel they make a difference in the world by becoming angry over government decisions of death versus life.

This past week I noticed posters outside the motor vehicles office protesting against President Bush's energy bill. A young man yelled out, "We need to save the world. maybe we can fry Bush's brain." I walked past not knowing what to say but feeling very uncomfortable walking into the building. I remembered the posters that used to read "Peace not War" and now I read descriptions of executions.

As we face the controversy of capital punishment, how bold are we to say what Jesus would do? The headlines read "Unrepentant to the End" as we read detailed descriptions of Timothy McVeigh's execution. The people who lost love ones wanted to hear him say "I'm sorry" and have closure. I cannot imagine being a parent and having to witness my son's execution. Yet one sentence of the article struck me that one tear was in McVeigh's eye as if he recognized being commander of ones own soul is just not enough.

As a Christian, we recognize that God gives us choices on how to lead our lives. When a person feels they can conquer the world's problems on their own, they may find destruction. But when a person recognizes the only way to salvation is through Jesus, then we discover life beyond what we can comprehend.

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis,
Lutheran Book of Worship
 
"Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
Grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
Amen.

Contributed by Lynn W.
Published Monday June 25, 2001
Week 31 of Liturgical Year C