Weapon of Choice

I know, I know...I tend to write about things that are either politically or historically driven, but really...isn't everything? Even religion can't claim immunity here on either count. And today I read about one of the sadder points of religion...the killing of a person simply because he tended to a flock that was surrounded by extremists.

This man was a Chaldean Catholic archbishop living and preaching the Word in Mosul, Iraq. The archbishop was taken two weeks ago after he finished mass and three other companions (it didn't say if they were priests or how they were affiliated with the church) were killed. Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho's body was found dead after an unidentified person called the office of the Archbishop and tipped them off as to where the body could be found.

Mosul is a very active and violent city because of the mixture of various religions within the city. Primarily the violence has stemmed from Islamic extremists who have been attacking local Christian businesses, people and churches. The reason behind the attacks seems to center on the belief that Christians have been labeled "crusaders" and supporters of the U.S. troop efforts and policies in Iraq.

While it is often difficult to remove politics from anything, I want to set it aside for a moment and focus on something that was very prominent in my mind as I read about this tragedy (and in fact it brings tears to my eyes now as I try to express it). It isn't so much a thought as it is an image.

I see a man, a leader in his faith who has died for that faith and lived amidst persecution and the threat of death because he believed in the Word of God and felt compelled to share that Word with others. It reminds me of someone else, though on a much smaller scale. It reminds me of the season that is so fresh upon us and of the sacrifices that we as followers are all called upon to make.

It makes me wonder if I would have the strength to look death in the eye and walk towards it steady in my faith. It's so easy to say that of course I would, but if I were faced with it today or tomorrow I wonder if I really could. Could I give up my earthly ties or would they keep me bound? How far would I, could I go for my faith? How far are you willing to go; how much are you willing to give to call yourself a believer of the faith?

My heart goes out to the Archbishop’s family, friends and parishioners whose lives he undoubtedly touched. It goes out to those misguided souls who thought that murder (especially murder driven by religious differences/intolerance) is acceptable. And it goes out to those whose eyes might be widened, heart touched and mind awakened by this sad event. For I am a firm believer that his death, though tragic, was for the purpose of God and hopefully will bring more to Him or at the very least open a door through dialogue.

I close with this: when I have to come to terms with the loss of someone I always go back to John 14. While the passage mainly talks about Jesus preparing the way for us and how we can only get to the Father through Him, I always think of one simple line. It is John 14:27 -"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you." Being raised as a Roman Catholic, this phrase is very familiar to me as it is always included in the liturgy of the mass, but it is more than just words. Simply reciting it to myself brings me a modicum of what it is supposed to...peace.

Peace. As a mother with an Energizer bunny for a son, this word has taken on a whole new meaning to me. And however you define or quantify peace, to me it is a gift/blessing that falls just shy of unconditional love because of the enormity of the word and all that it encompasses.

Peace. "I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Do not be afraid to walk the path that God has laid before you.

As I was reminded of the other day, "God isn’t safe, but He is good." And sadly, today's tragedy has proven again that being a Christian isn't always safe (at least for our mortal bodies anyway); but it is good.

As  Christians we are taught to not only put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), but also to love all as Christ loves us. While wars have been fought for and about Christ, I believe that our true weapons are faith, love and of course peace; items that give hope, salvation and life rather than take it away. These are my weapons of choice...what are yours?

Start a discussion with your family and friends and see what their weapons are and then send me a list of what you find so that I may include them in next month’s Benedictions.

And as has been the habit of mine for some time, I leave you with a Celtic blessing:

Stand tall, stand firm, stand true. May the faith, love and kindness you share always find its way back to you.