In my sermon on Sunday, I discussed the “Vicar of Iraq,” the Rev. Canon Andrew White, and his warning that Christians who remain in Iraq “must be prepared to die for their faith.” On that note, I appreciate today’s New York Times op-ed from Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress:
This bond between Jews and Christians makes complete sense. We share much more than most religions. We read the same Bible, and share a moral and ethical core. Now, sadly, we share a kind of suffering: Christians are dying because of their beliefs, because they are defenseless and because the world is indifferent to their suffering.
Good people must join together and stop this revolting wave of violence. It’s not as if we are powerless. I write this as a citizen of the strongest military power on earth. I write this as a Jewish leader who cares about my Christian brothers and sisters.
The Jewish people understand all too well what can happen when the world is silent. This campaign of death must be stopped.
but even the Gray Lady’s running of this opinion piece will not be enough to arouse much action or angst on behalf of christians.
islam is not so much a spiritual religion as a political religion. it claims that it and jews and christians worship the same god but my YHWH is not the same as their Allah. my Jesus is superior in every way to their Muhammed. my hope infinitely more concrete than their flimsical one.
we can only hope that jesus doesnt tarry. but if he does or does not he still triumphs in the end and that victory will restore order where our disobedience cast chaos. but you know all this
Amen.