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December 23 Today my family went into the city to do some last minute Christmas shopping and to make a video for my sister’s Bible class in Texas.It was a cold, wet day but there was a new joy and peace in my heart, knowing that my suppressed anger had been brought to the Light and thus forgiven. Of course, I know I still have a ways to go and yet, there is, in contrast to Kundera’s book title a “bearable lightness of being” that has come upon me. As
we made our way to the Old-Town Square, I began to film my oldest son,
describing some of the historical sites of this great city. As long as I live,
I will remember what he said about the statue of John Hus. For those of you who are not history buffs, John Hus was burned at the stake in 1415 for heresy. That’s what his accusers said. Hus, a bold Czech preacher, began to be agitated by what he saw and experienced in Church. Particularly, he was angered by the fact that the Pope, and not the Word of God, was the final authority for the Church. He was often heard saying, “It is better to obey God than men.” Hus was also outspoken in his critique of the church’s tradition that only Priests were allowed to drink the communion wine. He felt and proclaimed what he believed to be the truth: that all Christians are priests and worthy, by grace, to share in the body and blood of the Lord. Hus also believed very strongly that the Scriptures were intended for all to read and understand, that no one should have to study the Bible in Latin, much less go through the priests in order to gain understanding. These and other views cost Hus his life. Upon being summoned to trial by the Papal hierarchy of his day, Hus was ambushed, arrested, and forcefully requested to denounce his views or die. As the flames engulfed him, he could be heard praying aloud to the Lord. As we made our way to the Hus statue, and right before I was about to eloquently tell this story for the video, my son remarked, “Dad, this man is like what Jesus said, isn’t he?” “How’s that, son, I asked?” “You know what Jesus said: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Yes, out of the mouths of babes, God has ordained praise for his name! |
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