This past weekend, the priest gave a homily that I am still thinking about. He spoke about the bible quote in which Jesus asks his disciples “Who do they say I am?” The disciples answer and then Jesus asks them who they say He is. Peter answers that He is the Christ. The priest asked us what people would say about us if we asked the same question…
Who do you say I am?
Would people say that I am a mother, friend, sister, daughter? Would they say that I am a hard-worker, dedicated, caring, loving? Would they say I am a Christian?
This is the question that needs further thought. Do my actions and words express that I am a Christian? If it were a crime to be a Christian and I was brought before the court, would I be proven guilty or innocent based on my actions?
The priest shared a story that made me think even more…
There was a woman who was sitting at a red light. Upon turning green, the woman saw that the man in front of her was on his cell phone and he did not move. She tapped her horn. No response from the man. She laid on the horn a bit more and still no response. At this point, she is getting very angry and is yelling and cursing. The light turns yellow and the man apparently realizes it and goes forward. The woman has to stay through another light because it is now red. She starts cussing and making unkind hand gestures (you know what I mean). She gets a green light and goes forward, only to be pulled over by a police officer that was behind her.
Long story short, the woman was arrested and sat in jail for 3 hours. At that point the police officer comes to her cell and removes her apologizing for the misunderstanding that led to her arrest. It turns out the police officer thought that she had stolen the vehicle she was in. Why? Because the vehicle had a bumper sticker that had the name of their church on it, a Christian fish, and another (obviously) Christian symbol or words (I can’t remember to be honest). The police officer said that because of the woman’s actions during the time of the traffic stop towards the other driver, he couldn’t believe the car was hers… she was not acting as though she was a Christian.
Our priest says this story is a true one. I have to ask myself if I would be guilty of the same “crime”. I know that I need to work harder to be a good example for my children and family. I know that I need to work harder to be a practicing Christian outside of the church doors. It is so easy for life to get the better of you and to “forget” about how you should be acting.
I want anyone that knows me to know that I am Christian. I want one thing that can be said about me, if asked, is that I am a Christian. I want that to be an obvious trait of who I am and makes me who I am.
If you are a Christian and if it were a crime, do you think you would be found innocent or guilty of being a Christian? (you don’t have to answer… just food for thought)
Crystal says
good post…makes ya think…
Alicia says
Thanks for giving me something to think about this weekend… who WOULD people say I was. (I know I’m totally guilty of the car thing… I don’t cuss or do hand gestures… but I certainly let people know that I’m annoyed! Gotta work on that!)
Winter says
Our priest once told this story too. It is a lot to think about. I’m so happy for the reminder because I always act first and beg forgiveness later and when I realize that I’ve done it I get so upset with myself. I work so hard to work for the family, work out, lose weight all the things to better myself yet when I do something from anger or hurt it never occurs to me that I am then dragging myself back down.
Thank you!
Lisa says
This is wonderful. It certainly is food for thought. Hmmm let me mull that one over.