March 16--Heroes of the Faith

Numbers 24:1-25:18 Luke 2:1-35 Psalm 59:1-17 Proverbs 11:14

Heroes of the Faith

"The Scarlet and the Black" is a film that powerfully portrays a chapter in the life of a hero of the Christian faith--Hugh O'Flaherty, an Irishman who risked his life in obedience to Jesus Christ. Monsignor O'Flaherty was a priest in the Vatican during World War II. When the Nazis took over Rome, he led an organization that saved thousands of people, including Jews and escaped POWs from England, the U.S. and and other countries. The movie should inspire us all to speak and act for justice and righteousness in confronting evil and saving lives in the name of Jesus. O'Flaherty not only helped rescue those who would have been killed by the German forces, but he even led his arch enemy to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Herbert Kappler, the man responsible for the torture and death of many in Rome and the murder of thousands of Jews sent to the death camps in Auschwitz, became a Christian through O'Flaherty's example and prison ministry. O'Flaherty is not as popular as the famous Irish missionary, St. Patrick, but he is definitely an Irishman, a hero of the faith, worthy of remembrance on St. Patrick's day!

In today's reading in Numbers, Balaam is a hero of the faith--one who by his blessing, saves the people of Israel. He reiterates God's word for Israel, “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!” Overcoming his fear of reprisal at the hands of Balak, he says, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD—and I must say only what the LORD says’?" (Numbers 24:12-13).

May we, like O'Flaherty, like Balaam, be so inspired by the Holy Spirit that we will think, see, hear, speak and do only what the Lord commands. May we not be dissuaded by fear or by the "bribery" of a life of wealth. May our eyes be opened to truly see the people in Our own city, state, nation and world who are in such great need of survival and of salvation. May we become heroes of the faith!

Pastor Paul