(Unfinished) Business As Usual

Several years ago, a Gallup Poll reported that Americans are about equally divided on whether Jesus was fun-loving or somber. I wasn’t among those polled, but if anyone were to ask, I would answer that I love the weeping Jesus and the joyful Jesus, both. I for one believe God loves equally the saint who dances with joy and the saint who weeps over the sins of humanity. But for many people, there is no one so dull as a saint.

Yet consider the Apostles Peter and Paul setting out on their great adventure to evangelize the world for the Love of Christ. Consider the classic example of risk-taking, free-spirited devotion to the Cause of Christ portrayed in the life of Francis of Assisi. Consider the Christian champions of human dignity and justice and brotherhood down through the Ages. The true picture of Evangelism is that of high adventure. It’s a daring thing to set out to conquer with love a hate-filled world.