I had an interesting chat with my friend J. today. We've been friends for 28 years and she is my eldest son's godmother. I haven't seen her in 7 years but we keep in touch. When we were teenagers we were pretty bad but not really bad. In other words - we grew up!
We both always believed in God but in the last few years she has become a born-again Christian and attends a Baptist church. She is very active in her church and it's a real family affair. She knows I am Catholic and active in my parish. We see eye to eye on a lot of things when it comes to religion - for instance we are both ProLife and against gay 'marriage'. However, during today's conversation I can see where we differ.
I told her that I was so appreciative of all the prayers that people have been sending up for Luke. Her own pastor, who has never met Luke (or me), prayed for him last week at their Sunday service. They also want to send him 'care packages' while he is away. I am not totally comfortable with that - I don't want any born-again literature and 'edited' bibles heading his way. Anyway, what was my point? I did have one....oh yeah....I expressed that I hoped people would continue to pray for Luke, that their prayers wouldn't peter out as the months drag on.
J. responded by saying we don't need to be repetitious in our prayers. (I am guessing that I shouldn't send her rosary beads for Christmas....joke....) She said that God hears our prayers the first time. I understand what she means (read Matthew 6:7) but then I thought of the widow and the judge from Luke 18:1-8, particularly this verse, "And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. "
Another area where we differ is those blasted shoe boxes from Samaritan's Purse. A few years ago I led a campaign in my parish to abolish them. Father did some research, passed his findings onto the bishop and others and even spoke out against them in the bulletin. Every year our fund raising efforts for our mission in Peru grow and we contribute to their economy because they are able to buy the majority of gifts and supplies locally.
J. asked me if we "did shoe boxes" at my church and I had to tactfully tell her that we do not. I didn't really get into it but did tell her that the children can only receive these boxes once every five years. Our Peru kids can rely on our gifts every year. We both knew it was time to change the subject.
I am grateful for the advice she gave me today. I am grateful for her friendship. But I long for the day when we are truly one.
"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. " John 17:20-23
Lord, I do love that verse.
