Musings 2000

"Rev. Earl's Musings" is a regular feature prepared for friends and members of St. John's United Methodist Church in Lutherville, Maryland, by its pastor, Rev. Earl E. Mason. The current issue can be found on the "Message" page of St. John's web site as well as in the printed church newsletter, "The St. John's Story." This page of recent "Musings" offers the opportunity to pause and reflect on the issues raised.

To return to St. John's United Methodist Church home page, just click on any Cross and Flame symbol on this page. To e-mail Rev. Earl, simply click on the link that is part of his signature following each message.

January - February 2003 Musings

Dear Members and Friends,

We are starting a new year. This is a time when we often think of new beginnings. Yet as we begin this year, we begin it under the cloud of approaching war. While our natural inclination as a Christian is to say, war is bad, and peace is good, we know it is seldom that simple.

The same Jesus that said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." (Matthew 5:39), also said that the time would come ". . . If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:36) ". . . for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." (Matthew 26:52) ". . . but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39).

How do we make sense of all these passages? How can we pull them together? I believe one event in Jesus' life can help. When Jesus made a whip of cords to drive out the money changers, Jesus was throwing out those who would take advantage of others. Only Jewish coins could be used in the temple and the money changers were presumably cheating people right in the temple courtyard. What happened had all the hallmarks of a riot, with people fighting, and tables being overturned. Jesus was apparently willing to start a fight, if it was needed to protect the powerless victims of abuse.

How do we apply all the teachings of Jesus to the situation with Iraq? Its leadership has killed 700,000 people and is resolutely committed to the destruction of Israel. Weapons of mass destruction could be used to destroy millions of people. The primary targets would be Tel Aviv, New York, and Baltimore. New York and Baltimore because we receive thousands of containers from all over the world every day in our harbors. Afterward it would be hard to trace where it came from. I know it is farfetched, but certainly not as farfetched as training people to fly planes, hijacking four planes simultaneously, and flying them into U.S. buildings with 16 people committed to die, doing it. This makes hiring a container and putting it on a cargo ship, look like a really simple matter.

I pray there is a way to avoid war with Iraq, while still ensuring our safety. I neither want our nation to go to war and have thousands of our soldiers come back in body bags; or be like Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister who gave up Czechoslovakia to Adolph Hitler in 1938 saying, he had thus ensured "peace for our time."

Please join me in praying for our president and congress for the Lord's guidance, and don't give up praying for peace.

Yours in Christ's Service,

Rev. Earl E. Mason

March 2003 Musings

Dear Members and Friends,

Wednesday, March 5 is for Christians around the world the beginning of the most holy time of the year. The forty days and
six Sundays of Lent are a time of fasting, self denial, prayer and re commitment. When we say "Jesus is Lord," what does that
mean for my life? Are we as close to the Lord as we used to be?

Are we as close to the Lord as we want to be? What will we commit to do this Lent to renew the relationship we have to
Jesus the Christ?

When friends lose contact our relationships drift apart. The same happens in our faith. The Lord wants to be in our lives every
day, but we must invite him in. Friends do things together. What do you do with the Lord? Friends talk regularly. You have the
idea.

Please take a few minutes to think and pray about how to use this precious season to make that relationship stronger. Now is a
difficult time of stress in many families as well as the nation. With the friend we have in Jesus, we have one who will listen
and understand.

The church offers two worship services, Bible studies, Church School for all ages as well as support, fellowship and special
interest groups. All of this as well as opportunities to make a difference in other peoples lives through service or mission
projects can make this season one of "just a closer walk with Thee, dear Lord."

Rev. Earl E. Mason

To War or Not To War

Dear Members and Friends,

Ever since the fifth century (St. Augustine 354-430 AD) the church has struggled with what is a just war. Now our nation is involved in this debate again.

Do we wait for the United Nations to make the decision for us? Any permanent member of the security council can veto any
action. They are all working out of their own self interest. In the past the French have been a major trading partner with Iraq,
receiving its oil. It also plays very well in France when they stand up to the United States! Of course they may feel someone
has to. To side with the U. S. invites more terrorist attacks, remembering that most of those attacks take place outside the
United States. Of course, if a country comes out against the U. S., we have threatened to cut off aid. None of this in the United
Nations seems to deal with the rightness or wrongness of a war.

Why not just give the inspectors more time? For what? Does everyone believe a hundred inspectors could find things hidden
in an area the size of New Jersey if 100,000 people are trying to hide it. All it takes is a phone call to say the inspectors are
coming, get the trucks out of there. Would there even be inspections, the moment the threat of war ends?

What about the people in Northern Iraq, who would certainly face death if Saddam Hussein is not kept in check. They would
once again be victims of the weapons of mass destruction, that he has used killing whole villages in the past.

It seems like the only choice is, who is going to die, those who support Hussein or those who oppose him?

We can of course say we won't get involved. Yet there is that whole faith thing about standing against those who abuse the
poor or shed innocent blood. God will judge those who stand by when such a thing happens. The peacemakers are not always
those who refuse to go to war. Sometimes evil must be confronted,

Please pray for our armed forces and all the nations leaders including Iraq that war may still be avoided.

Yours in Christ's Service,

Rev. Earl E. Mason

Click here to read "Musings" first published in 2000

Click here to read "Musings" first published in 2001

Click here to read "Musings" first published in 2002

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