Thursday, May 18, 2023

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 18:1-8; John 16:16-20)

Although Christians comprise a small fraction of the Pakistani population, in numbers they are more than two million people.  Missionaries there in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries did not convert many Muslims or Hindus but found the animist peoples open to the word of God.  Evidently, all-encompassing religions like Islam have arguments to counter Christianity’s claims.  On the other hand, religions like animism without established theological traditions offer less resistance to Christian preaching.  This is likely the reason for Paul’s frustration when preaching Christ to Jews.

In Corinth, as in other population centers of the Mediterranean in Paul’s day, there is a synagogue.  Paul finds it the natural place to speak about Christ.  As a matter of fact, members of the synagogue in the town of Berea give Paul an ear, but those of the synagogue in Corinth as in Thessalonica are much less amenable.  Still Paul makes progress in Corinth perhaps because Aquila and Priscilla have already did some spade work for planting the seed of Christ.

Even though we are not willing to give up our Christian legacy for anything, we still might dialogue with people of other faiths.  Learning their traditions not only broadens our knowledge but will likely deepen our appreciation of Christianity. We believe that Christ died to save all people.  Deliberately refusing to share our knowledge of him by neglecting opportunities to dialogue would mean a loss on all sides.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

(Acts 6:8-15; John 6:22-29)

Just last month a mob of Muslim extremists attacked a Christian village in Lahore, Pakistan, burning down 200 homes.  The outrage occurred after a Muslim boy accused a Christian of blaspheming the prophet Mohammed while playing a game.  Such incidents occur with regularity in that country with its overwhelming Muslim majority and plethora of extremist-religious schools.  A similar situation is reported in the first reading today.

Stephen is accused of blaspheming “’Moses and God’” before the ruling Sanhedrin.  The author reports that his serene countenance should tip off the judges that Stephen is innocent, but because of the prejudice against the growing Christian sect, the judicial body eventually condemns him to being stoned to death.  (An objective observer might also question the prudence of Stephen’s remarks against the Jewish leaders.)

We who value religion must stop and think here.  Truth may call for a reply to outrageous statements.  However, does not justice require a response in kind without turning to violence?  We must speak out with integrity but judiciously when confronted with perversions.  Our goodwill and wisdom will make the validity of our position evident.