ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 3, 2022
Today is the anniversary of the first successful human heart transplant. On this day in 1967, a South African surgeon by the name of Christiaan Barnard successfully transplanted a new heart into Louis Washkansky who regained consciousness and lived for 18 days. I know 18 days doesn’t sound like much, and it sure is nothing compared to what is happening today. With that said, it reminds us of how great happenings occur only after small and short-lived successes, along with a lot of failures. That sounds so harsh when you think about a human life and those failed attempts along the way. Yet progress and change only happen when we are willing to risk a few failed attempts or some short-lived successes. As followers of the one whose birth we shall soon celebrate, this Season of Advent is a time to explore one’s doubts, take a risk, try something different, and challenge long-held beliefs that no longer satisfy. In the end, it is all about finding life—an abundant life for ourselves and for all. Current Christianity is falling short—way too short. I think this comes from people who believe questioning, change, and progress are anti-Gospel. I hear those concerns, yet the Gospels all appear to be an invitation for humanity to stretch, not just that one time 2000 years ago. But to continue to stretch and risk and, in the end, find a faith relevant for the new day that is before us.
Bring your Holy Spirit upon us, O God. Allow for it (for her*) to speak grace to us, a grace that frees us to examine our faith, explore our values, and be challenged by what it means to follow your Living Word enfleshed in the child born in Bethlehem. Amen.
*In the Hebrew (the Old Testament), the noun we translate as Spirit is feminine. In the Greek (of the New Testament), the noun we translate as Spirit is neuter.
