FRONTLINE DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2006  by Fritz Foltz

Matthew 28:16-20

On my return from working out at the gym I reported I had seen a young woman who grew up in the parish. My wife asked if I had ever told her about her father. “What do you mean?” I asked. “How when you were close to death after your heart bypass, he was the first person to visit you in the hospital and how he told you about his first believing in God when he held her, his first child, at her birth”. I had almost forgotten that. ”Well, I’m sure he never told her, and you should remain alive so you can”. 

That’s sort of a strange way to think: that I should remain alive so I can tell a story. But…

I just saw her at the gym today. I told her Faith Ann thought I should report a story that I’d make fast and quiet so neither of us would be embarrassed. “When I was near death after my heart operation, your father was the first to visit me”. “My father?” He is a gruff type of fellow, so her “My father?” was expected. “Yes, and this is what he told me. He said he first believed in God when he held you in his arms”. Her eyes teared as she looked at me. “That’s pretty special, isn’t it?”  “Yes, it is”. And then I went back to the treadmill.

One reason to remain alive to tell the stories we know and others have to hear.

That makes no sense unless we understand why we have children. Years ago I read something by Stanley Haurerwas that observed our modern society can no longer understand why we have children, We have become so individualistic that we can not come up with any decent reason why to have children, except, of course, for our own pleasure.

Hauerwas claims Christians do have an explanation, because we understand life is about more than just “me”. We are part of a community that represents God and are to tell his story now and in the future. We have children partially to contribute to that community and story.

Senior citizens sometimes wonder why they remain alive when their working days are over. The wise and compassionate know it should have to do with more than simply enjoying ourselves. Certainly one reason is to tell stories we know and others need to hear.

Let us pray: We thank you, Father, for all those wonderful moments in our lives that speak of your love. Give us the incentive and time to tell them to those who follow, especially the young. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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