From Death, to Life!

The historian Eusebius describes how during the Plague of Cyprian in the third century, Christians in the city of Alexandria refused to abandon the sick and dying, despite the great risk of becoming infected themselves: “Most of our brethren showed love and loyalty in not sparing themselves while helping one another, tending to the sick with no thought of danger and gladly departing this life with them after becoming infected with their disease” (Eusebius, The Church History). Modern church historians have linked the radical love and service displayed by the church during times of disaster in its early history as crucial to the spread of Christianity throughout the world. Centuries later, we face a different set of societal ills and the Church is a more fragmented body. What are the images in our neighbors’ minds when they think of Christians’ involvement in social issues? Do those mental pictures help our neighbors see the reflection of our Savior?

“But God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). As those who know most intimately the transforming love of our Savior, Christians ought to be overflowing with love for the weak and suffering in our communities.  While our society offers death as a panacea for various ills (unplanned pregnancy? loss of ideal lifestyle due to sickness or old age? extra or missing chromosomes? the list continues to grow…), let us be those who offer instead abundant life. To those who suffer with the painful effects of abortion or assisted suicide in their pasts, let us be those whose words and lives are full of the bountiful forgiveness and healing Christ has opened to us through His cross. To those who struggle to see their worth, let us bring the message of God’s unquenchable love for each of His unique creations, made in His own image.  On behalf of those who cannot speak, let us speak life and truth and light into the darkness of a culture of death.  Let us offer each of these messages with winsome grace and love.  After all, we are all equal at the foot of the cross.  We do not bring judgment, but rather mercy, and joyful service, to the hurting—as those who have been brought from death to life ourselves!

Please come and join the conversation about how we can serve our neighbors, offering the love and life we have received from God, at an initial interest meeting for Anglicans for Life, on Friday, April 26, at 7 PM in the Parish Hall.  We will get to know one another and briefly hear the  vision for a new AFL Chapter here in Phoenix.  For more information or with any questions, please email Sarah Thomas, sarahlynnthomas@gmail.com.

Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson

For more of Nilsson’s amazing photos, see this link to the EARTH Facebook album called “How a Child is Born”