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PAUSE FORA PROMISE

Text: "For I have given you an exam­ple, that you also should do as I have done to you."

Scripture: John 13:12-20 (RSV)

by David Sorensen*

1 wo American planes were flying separate missions in Viet Nam pro­tecting the border. As the two air­craft came within twenty miles of each other, the crews began to watch their radar monitors suspiciously. At fifteen miles their IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems failed to recognize each other as friendly aircraft. The com­puter lock-on system was ready. The pilots could just make out a glint of light in the distance.

They both fired. They were both shot down.

It was a modern-day dogfight, swift and electronically efficient.

Dogfights occur in the Church as well. At times, we go about our separate "missions" and grow suspicious when someone from another denomination or another committee or another church comes too close. We lock-on and fire with our sophisticated attitudes and remarks. Damage is often swift.

What can we do? Let us trust in the Spirit of God rather than our quick judgments. "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord ..."

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called . . . eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3, RSV)

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 group of four-year-olds were gathered in a Sunday School class. The teacher, who was by nature enthusiastic and who wanted to keep their attention, asked the question, "Does anyone know what today is all about?" A little four-year-old held up her hand and said, "Yes, today is Palm

"People today are looking for moral guidelines. They are desperately trying to find some kind of behavior that will be consistently recognized as moral and honorable."

Sunday." The teacher exlaimed, "That's fantastic, that's wonderful! Now, does anyone know what next Sunday is?" The same little girl, ob­viously bright, held up her hand. She said, "Yes, next Sunday is Easter Sun­day." Once again the teacher said, "That's fantastic! Now, does anyone know what makes next Sunday, Easter?" The same little girl respond­ed and said, "Yes, next Sunday is Easter because Jesus rose from the grave," and before the teacher could congratulate her again, she kept right on talking and said, "but if he sees his shadow, he has to go back for seven weeks."

* David Sorensori is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

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