Rector’s Reflection
1st Sunday after the Epiphany, C
January 10, 2010
I have said it before – and I said it as recently as December 27th when I baptized little
Emily – I love baptisms. I love welcoming a new member into the body of Christ
and I love that this child – and every baptized person – has been brought into the household of
God.
That being said, did you hear what FOX news journalist Brit Hume had to say about Tiger
Woods in light of the downward spiral that his life has taken over the past month? News of
Tiger’s infidelities bumped the economy, the war in Iraq, and even musings about the BCS Bowl
off the front page. Each day seemed to welcome either another woman telling her tale of Woods
(does anyone know the exact date that shame died?) or another interview with an ‘expert’ in
whatever it is that afflicts Tiger or another panel discussion about what impact this current
scandal might have on Tiger’s career and even on the future of professional golf.
Enter Brit Hume who suggested that Tiger ought to convert to Christianity because
Christianity is “a religion uniquely and especially about redemption and forgiveness.” Of course
there ensued accusations of proselytizing on the one hand and the denigration of other faiths on
the other. To date, however, Mr. Hume has refused to apologize for his statements and it seems
unlikely that he will.
So how do paragraphs 2 and 3 relate to the opening paragraph? Well... remember that
part of the baptism liturgy called the Baptismal Covenant? Remember the question “Will you
proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?” That’s exactly what Mr.
Hume did.
There is absolutely nothing about the Christian faith that encourages us to keep it to
ourselves. In the catechism, there is a question, “What is the ministry of the laity?” Answer: The
ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever
they may be and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in
the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.”
“... to bear witness to him wherever they may be...” Sharing what Christ has done for us– and what Christ can do for others – is an expectation for the believer. We have no reservations
about recommending good restaurants or reliable cars or funny movies. But Jesus? Well... we
don’t want to appear pushy or critical of other faiths.
As far as being critical of other faiths goes, I will say it again: our proclamation of the
singularity of Jesus Christ as the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is an
affirmation of who we are, not a denunciation of someone who follows a different path. And as
far as being pushy, we are all sinners born into a broken and sinful world, a world where dark
powers and even darker desires seek to separate us from our creator and from one another.
There are probably all sorts of diagnoses – both physical and psychological – for what ails
Tiger Woods. Medications may be prescribed; therapy sessions may be scheduled. But a
component of the saving of Tiger Woods is found at the foot of an old rugged cross, where even
the worst sins were offered up, once and for all.
Tiger Woods’ life is a mess, but not an irredeemable one. There is nothing that God in
Christ cannot redeem and there is no soul that He will not help along the path back to wholeness
if only He is asked to join in the journey.
Susan+
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