Does anyone listen to scripture anymore?
The answer will be at the end of this reflection. Please reread Hebrews 13: 1-8. It talks about so many things that were an issue in the early Church and are still with us on February 3rd. 2023. It talks about hospitality to strangers, immigrants, or loving our fellow Christians. It talks about undefiled marriage, immorality, adultery and greed. It talks of treatment of prisoners, and treatment of people in general. There is always a struggle between good and evil.
The old saying, that ” if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”, was true in the time of John the Baptist as it is today. John lost his head because of his belief in right and wrong. Nonetheless, sinners today still dig. King Herod heard about it, for his (Jesus) fame had become widespread, and people were saying “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” John couldn’t stop proclaiming right and wrong. Jesus couldn’t stop and neither can we.
I have spoken of this years ago in one of my reflections but have not repeated it in a while. When I lived in North Dakota from January 1974 through January 1980, I became friends with a great priest by the name of Father William Sherman. He was a World War Two infantry veteran. He became a priest after the war and held a Doctorate in Sociology and taught college courses at both University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. Surprisingly he was very approachable and very down to earth. At one time he was the National Chaplin for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was a parish priest in Grand Forks and Fargo. He had a standard order at the Rectory. If anyone came to the door looking for a meal that person or persons were fed. There was a network of Native Americans who knew that wherever Father Bill was in residence that there would be a warm meal and safety for any traveler. To the best of my knowledge no one was ever harmed by his generosity. Nonetheless, many housekeepers were upset. There was one occasion when a conman talked Father Bill out of an expensive camera as a loan for the day. He never saw the man or camera again. Father Bill spoke afterward that the man probably needed it more than he did. Still for all his generosity no physical harm came to anyone. This was the only negative from over 40 years of his priesthood and his living his life in scripture.
Thus, we may say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If we can answer yes to this confidence, we can answer: Yes, to the question at the beginning.
God Loved You Always,
Bob Burford
PS: Please pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Please pray for the salvation and physical and emotional health of the Ukrainian people. Pray for the salvation of the Russian people and peace in the Ukraine.
