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IN MEMORIAM


VAIMULIK  Kuu juhtsƵnad ja mƵtisklused

2015

Kui nisuiva ei lange maasse ega sure, siis see jƤƤb Ć¼ksi, aga kui see sureb, siis see kannab palju vilja! Jh 12:24

   I have been asked why Christianity - especially how Estonians reflect this faith - is so morbid.  The altar on top of the cross, which reminds us of Jesus' death. The black colour of the old, traditional pastor's coat. The two most important Services in our church year with Holy Communion being Good Friday, the day of Jesus' death, and last Sunday before Advent - Memorial Day. During the year, we celebrate several days, which are related with death - a Graveyard Worship Services,  Memorial of Deportation, Memorial of war victims, the  Black Ribbon Day, etc.

   Maybe we really do need more Holy Days that focus on life. But these holy days are all 52 Sundays of the church year. Because, every Sunday we declare resurrection and eternal life. And today, on this 4´th Sunday of lent, which speaks of Christ as the living bread and of faith, which bears much fruit.

   Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. What does this mean?

   Some years ago, underwater archaeologists found a sunken ship near the island of Crete from 2300 years ago. In its last trip, the ship was carrying a cargo of wheat. Fortunately, the cargo of wheat was packed into 300 amphora. Some of the amphora were preserved intact and closed. This finding gave a lot of information on trade, shipping, weather and cultivation methods from two thousand years ago.

   But those seeds will not germinate. They are very rare. Their value is huge. Various museums and research centers in the world have bought a few of these grains and paid a huge price for them. But none of these grains fed, or will feed anyone anymore because they do not bear fruit.

   The Bible speaks of human life as a seed. Of course, each of us is unique and an invaluable work of God. However, a life cannot bear fruit unless you are willing to open yourself to others.

   Daily life offers good examples.

   Take the birth of a child.  When a woman becomes pregnant, her world is devoted to delivering the child safely.  This also includes emotional and social changes. Becoming a mother means the end of one era and the beginning of another.  This change in status impacts the family dynamic and relationships.  It means more joys and more worries.  The fruit of this seed are children, a new generation of beings.  

   The same applies to creativity.  What makes something unique?  Most of us can memorize Hamlet’s monologue – „To be or not to be, that is the question“ – but few actors can take these words and make an audience spellbound.  Acting requires complete dedication and passion. That an actor can overcome his ego, and in that moment, become Hamlet. The fruit of this seed is an enraptured audience.   

   Belief in God is a similar process of birth and creation of values, that can not be done halfway. Just like one cannot be a little bit pregnant, one cannot be partly a son or partly a daughter.  We cannot partly be a child of God.

   Occasionally we discuss what to do, to increase attendance at church. (to have more people come to church).  Do we need interesting and fun activities?  Do we need famous performers? What is the magic solution?

   The answer to this is and always will be, faith in God. If this is at the forefront, then a congregation will survive.  If instead of faith, the focus is elsewhere - freedom fighting, social committees, or social activities, then those will end.  Freedom fighting ends when a country becomes free.  An interesting speakers are only interesting until they become boring.  Social committees are fun as long as there are members.

   The word of God and the sacraments are the only actual purpose of a congregation.  This is the secret of church and of life. Lent is not just a time to give up certain foods or pleasures.  It is also a time to make a habit of focusing on faith.   And a duty to contemplate the meaning of your life. 

   We may ask, what meaning do we need to find, if we have lived 30, 50, 70, 80 or more years.  Don’t we have enough life experience?

   The time for repentance is not when things are not going well.  When we are driving, we don’t use the steering wheel, the gas pedal or the brakes when the car is behaving badly.  We use them to make sure we arrive at our destination safely.  And along the way, we must keep our eyes open, look for possible trouble, keep our temper, so that we don’t get in to trouble.   We must patiently give in to protect ourselves and others.  And this is how we arrive safely at work, school, church or home.

   Culture can be defined in many ways.  One definition is:  „culture is the ability to do without“. In today’s material world, christianity has a sobering effect.  We are used to buying whatever we need, be it food, clothes, shelter, comfort and entertainment.  We have our human rights.  We have the right to fight for our beliefs, etc.

   But the more we have, the more we want.  We cannot be happy with what we have until we learn to do without.

   During lent, we must look within ourselves and ask – am I prepared to do without? Am I prepared to give my life to God?  Not just coming to church and saying the occasional prayer.  Not just when we are happy or worried, but entirely.  Are you ready for faith, hope and love to take root in your daily thoughts and actions?  Do you long for something permanent and beautiful to touch your heart each and every day?

Amen.

 

Kohtumiseni kirikus!

 

Mart Salumäe

koguduse õpetaja

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