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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,
and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Watch and Learn
Christianity is better caught than taught. All the instructions in the world don’t have the impact of living among faith-filled witnesses. In community, we can see first-hand the relationship between doubt and faith, the struggles to make good choices, and constant adjustments brought on by life experience.
In Sunday’s Epistle, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews cites the faith of those who crossed the Red Sea and then watched the unfaith of the Egyptians who drown at the exact same spot. Also remembered, was how the Israelites destroyed Jericho by marching rather than war, and while the pagan Rahab who harbored Israelite spies was preserved. Clearly powerlessness can be powerful and risk-taking can bring great reward.
The author follows with a catalogue of Biblical figures, well known and obscure, who fulfilled their roles by faith. Many of those named were subversives, who swam against the prevailing powers and practices of the day. They lived lives filled with conflict and difficulty, but their faith allowed them to persevere. Hebrews tells us that it is the examples around us that give us the courage to run our course.
Most of you know how the saints shine for me as companions and encouragers. Just this last week, the church remembered some of my favorites among the Cloud of Witnesses. St. Dominic almost single-handedly restored preaching 300 years before the Protestant Reformation began. St Laurence was a young deacon in Rome when persecution broke out about 258 AD. Ordered to produce the wealth of the church, he arrived with the poor, the crippled and the sick, saying “these are the treasures of the church”. St. Clare of Assisi was a companion of St. Francis who wrote the first rule of life for a women’s order which she led for nearly 50 years after his death. Florence Nightingale basically invented the profession of Nursing, caring for those injured in the Crimean War and promoting cleanliness as standard medical practice. I have caught more from their examples than I have been taught by their words.
All of these, and thousands more, teach by example the practice of faith. They did what had not been done before and left behind encouragement for us to do the same. We cannot simply tell people to be kind; we need to experience kindness and its outcomes. Respect is better given than required. Gratitude is nurtured best among those who have known hard things and persevered.
So, watch those who are running the race. Pray with those who have worn the knees of their pants. Listen when others say, “I once was lost …”
O, and don’t forget, others may catch their faith from you!
Peace,
Mark +
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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