The Revelation of John, that great thundering visionary statement of a spiritual giant, gets used by the petty criminal mind of small and shriveled spirits in ways that are appalling. NBC4.Com News reports that someone has spray painted the doors of Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia, with the 666 of Revelation fame, complete with large x marks.
This stuff is sick and the bad dreams and bent visions that contributed to the actions of the one who did this should lead us to pray for that person's soul. Here is a place where the folks and Truro and I are in agreement.
NBC4 quotes a Truro staff person: "I think this is a one-time thing, hopefully," said Harry Zeiders, Truro Church executive assistant. "I pray for the perpetrator and just hope that they don't damage any other properties."
Remember Truro, its clergy, staff and people, and the perp, and the need for compassion and tolerance. Oh, and remember poor John of the Revelation fame, that people will stop making a mockery of his great vision.
God bless you, Mark. Thank you.
ReplyDelete-Mary
Amen.
ReplyDeleteGod knows there is enough interpersonal and verbal violence in the world. We should give it absolutely no quarter, even in the midst of ecclesiastical controversy. For the sake of the Gospel, and Christ-filled lives.
Be it known that I, for one, believe the Spirit still is working amongst Christian souls at Truro, even if I disagree with their decision to leave TEC. My prayers remain with them.
Dave
ReplyDeleteSome angry voices blame crimes against gay and lesbian folk upon the beliefs and statements of "traditionalists" in the church. Should traditionalists now blame intemperate comments from "progressives" for the property crimes committed against these churches?
No progressive revisssssionist would do this -they would still be arguing over which text is correct - 666 or 616.
ReplyDeleteOnce our home parish was burned down by an arsonist. The priest visited the man in prison. Poor tortured soul. Prayer for the people of Truro parish. What a horrible act of violence against a place set apart for the worhsip of God and the people who gather there.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of your theological or political disposition, my 13 year old daughter sums this up nicely:
ReplyDelete"That's just wrong."