Communicating the Possibility of Salvation for All
Good Morning,
There is a bit of illusion with this whole thing of the internet as with any communication because what is being communicated is removed from the presence of the moment. Our minds are still filled with chatter and no God is not Google. Still all this communication technology is a gift from God in a way and as such might very well become even more. And that prompts me to reflect on the Pope’s World Communication Day message released January 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists. I would have to say that in the saying of it, and being entertained by it, I actually am beginning to believe that the internet is a more concrete way of helping to make possible Communicating the Possibility of Salvation for All.
Scripture: Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Romans 10:5-21 (NRSV)
you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31 (NRSV)
Message: Maybe the most important thing is hearing what was not said. You probably already know that communication is mostly not about sharing what you know but in sharing how you feel about what you know. You probably already know that a man’s character can be known by the words he uses. Still witnessing our faith is really important and using words can help. On Friday I heard Michael D. Barone, Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report give a speech and sat next to a journalist at lunch and spoke to the former Publisher of our local paper and Editor and people from the Scripts Foundation. But in this world of self-absorption I am not sure how much I actually communicated with these professional communicators nor how much it was relevant for the people of the streets, in places of poverty, who are looking for the salvation and hope of a message that could reach to the ends of the earth. As Pope Francis made clear, communications need to become encounters. Virtual encounter seem real but fall short. The reality is that media strategists discuss being effective and affective but they do not ensure beauty, truth and goodness in their communication. Friends we live apart and not only need to be connected and entertained but most importantly loved. Relationships that encounter Christ, witnessed in love, is important for journalists too. We really need to think about what we are communicating to the man in the story of the Good Samaritan. What are we communicating to the man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Maybe journalists can help us to realize the entire world is now our neighbor. If only they we disciples too.
Pray we put aside what others might think of us and just be more interested in what is happening in the lives of others. Pray we are authentic and vulnerable. Pray we realize that a kind word or compliment can have a great impact on another life. Pray we listen. Pray we realize that actions speak louder than words. Pray we define what is important and stress it. Pray we avoid fault finding. Pray we show respect for others God given feelings. Pray we are reasonable, real and honest. Pray we are concrete in our communication but also not dogmatic. Pray we overlook the faults of others and listen when people find fault with us. Pray the internet become a vehicle for discipleship, a community and network of people not just wires. Pray our communications create an authentic culture of encounter. Pray we speak the truth with love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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