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Questions of Faith
By Joan Anderson, Norfolk
What does it mean to be a follower of Christ in the year 2003? How would Jesus respond to the crisis that we're experiencing in Iraq? What would he say about weapons of mass destruction? Would he allow anyone to possess them? Is there a moral justification for nuclear weapons if they are used for deterrence only? Would he consider the billions of dollars spent on our arsenal an attack on the poverty-stricken, the homeless and the elderly who often have to choose between food and medicine?
Have we modified the commandment "Love your neighbor" to suit our own purposes? Would Jesus be offended at the term "collateral damage"? What did he teach the apostles about confronting Roman soldiers and what did he really mean when he said "Put up your sword"? What does it mean to turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, do good to those who persecute you? There are few things that scripture scholars agree to be the actual words of Jesus, but one is "Love your enemies." What exactly does that mean to Christians? When Christ said if anyone wants to go to court over your shirt, hand him your coat as well, did he teach a way that is impractical?
What did it mean when our Blessed Mother said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior"? Does that have significance to us today? Are we, in the year 2003, to be magnifying God for those who cannot see him? When non-Christians look at Christians, can they even get a glimpse of God? What do our Muslim brothers and sisters see? Do we portray a God who is rough and ready or a God who is patient and loving? How do we share the good news of Christ if we fail to imitate him?
When Mary Magdalene was about to be stoned to death for her crime of prostitution, why did Christ come to her aid? After all, those who were going to stone Mary were within their legal right to do so—that was the punishment for prostitution. Was Jesus condoning prostitution or was he condemning violence? Did Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi and Mother Theresa understand Christ to be non-violent? What should our response to evil be? Does God really expect us to use the power of love to further his mission on earth? Can we imagine Christ bombing the hell out of Baghdad? Would Christ think it's a good idea to deny people food and medicine by economic sanctions? Is it OK that 5,000 children under the age of five die monthly because of sanctions? If Christ is the head and the church is the body, can the body act contrary to the head?
Pope John Paul II said the pending war with Iraq is not a just war. Are we listening to the Pope? And if not, why not? Rabbi Abraham Heschel says that religion is an answer to ultimate questions, and when religion ceases to be an answer to ultimate questions, it ceases to be religion.
When the war in Iraq is over, then what? Do we confront North Korea? Are we making the mistake of putting our trust in weapons rather than putting our trust in God? Is there anything we won't do in the name of national security? Is our desire to be a superpower leading us away from our higher power? Are we willing to make the sacrifices necessary to prevent us from heading down a very destructive path?
Is it possible that God has not revealed the answers to these questions, or are we just not listening? If we want answers, perhaps we need to stand before the crucifix and consider God's mercy. So, if the moral choice has to be made whether to serve God or to serve country, how will you respond?
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