I Like This Guy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060125/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_pope_encyclical

"Those who practice charity in the church's name will never seek to impose the church's faith upon others. They realize that a pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in whom we believe and by whom we are driven to love."--Pope Benedict XVI

Amen.

One of the things I have seen that disturbs me most, at a basic, basic level, is when Christians look on charity as nothing more than evangelism in sheep's clothing. But no, love comes first. Christ said that "all men will you are my disciples if you love one another as I have loved you." That includes utter humiliation. That includes death. That includes service. You can't rationally prove faith. There will always be doubt. There will always be uncertainty. But if we love like noone else can, then even the most skeptical might say "maybe there is something to that faith thing."

The gospel is not political. It's not "our God" versus "their god" (caps are significant there). It's not an argument to be won. It's the message that the runner brought about the victory of Marathon. It's the news that you are free. It's joy. It's the promise of life. It's about being free from the mistakes you've made. It is redemption.