Jesus was a person of convictions. The ideal for which he stood was love. He lived that conviction by healing on the Sabbath, by eating with “questionable” people, by touching people with leprosy and people who were dead, and by forgiving sins. In showing such love, he risked being rejected. He risked being criticized for breaking the rules of the Sabbath. He risked becoming “unclean” from having touched others who were ritually unclean. Ultimately, he risked his life.
If we claim to be disciples of Jesus, then our baptism should serve as a guide for our own convictions. In the life of baptism, we are asked: Are we serving all people, following the example of Jesus? Are we striving for justice and peace in all the earth?
This is excerpted from “Faith Reflections: Faith in action,” written by Emily K. Hartner that appears in the May 2014 issue of Café magazine. Today is the Day of Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
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