The couple stood outside their church as the Sunday mass was celebrated inside. They smiled and frowned, then smiled and frowned again, as they looked at their respective phones. They messaged back, sent pictures, then stared at each other, looked away. They did not see the lone man standing just behind them as they continued whatsApping, messaging and facebooking while the priest delivered his homily inside the church.
“Not interested in getting into the church?” asked the stranger standing behind them.
“Too crowded!” said the whatsApping man as he smiled at the messaging woman next to him.
“There’s place in the second row!” insisted the stranger.
“Too close to the priest!” giggled the woman giving the whatsapping man a nudge and they both guffawed softly. “We love standing out!”
“Outstanding Christians!” whispered the stranger smiling sadly to himself.
“Now that you say it, I guess we are,” said the whatsApping man, “She’s just been elected to the parish council, and I’m known to everybody!”
“Why didn’t you just stay at home?” asked the stranger.
“What nonsense!’ shouted the man, “It’s dangerous!”
“Dangerous?” asked the stranger.
“Our neighbour didn’t attend church for three weeks, and his wife’s funeral is tomorrow!” said the woman. “You think I want that to happen to my family? I come to church without fail, every Sunday or failing that, Saturday evening!”
“I too!” said the man eagerly.
“And you stand outside?” asked the stranger.
“Well we are….”
“Out standing Christians!” smiled the stranger, “Coming to church, because you are scared of what can happen if you don’t, but not interested in what is being said or going on inside!”
“What about you?” said the man and woman menacingly, “Why are you outside?”
“To bring you inside!” said the stranger gently as the man and woman put down their phones and stared at the man and his strange looking clothes, “You look familiar!” said the man with uncertainty.
“Maybe if you’d been going into the church and not standing outside all these years you would have recognised me…” said the figure gently.
“My God, you are….”
“Yes I am Him!” said the stranger and if you want to know more about me, you’ll have to go in!”
The stranger led them both inside, “I came to earth, was crucified, and rose again, for you all to come inside my church!” smiled the stranger, who was no more a stranger. “Standing out won’t make you an outstanding Christian, going in, will..!”
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Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.
Good morning Robert,your message is appropriate to the Gospel today.
When we give ourself to the Almighty God,and walk in His presence we receive His blessings.Let us pray for the outstanding Christian so they may know God and His works!
A nice parable, true to our times. The king of kings himself, arriving to save the wandering sheep.
Here in Borivali we have outstanding and grave standing Christians. …even if space is available inside. One day hopefully they will realise that going inside the Church is meaningful.
Super message!!
Most of us follow certain norms and practices only to be known and recognised as good or law abiding people for our own ulterior motives.
The psalmist said, ‘Better one day in Your house than a thousand elsewhere, ‘ to God who said that he was a man after His own heart. ‘ He wasn’t allowed to build God’s temple because of having blood on his hands, however. God forgave him as he repented saying, ‘Against Thee and Thee alone have I sinned, O God.’
Yes Kripa!