THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 22, 1995 TAG: 9504210063
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Issues of Faith
SOURCE: Betsy Mathews Wright
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
LAST WEEK'S COLUMN on finding new meaning in the cross of the Easter passion got some thoughtful responses from area readers.
From Donald C. White of Chesapeake: ``I read your column regularly and occasionally disagree with your theme or some specific points of your writings. However, I must tell you that your commentary on this Easter season with emphasis on the cross and its real meaning in our lives today, was not only well-written, but also a wonderful testimony of what the power of Jesus Christ could be in all of our lives.
``Folks have tried to make his teachings work effectively for over 1,900 years, without total success. I wonder, even though many don't believe, where we would be today without his influence through the centuries. Also, I wonder where we would be if everyone had accepted Jesus Christ.
``Thank you for a powerful and meaningful commentary. Oh, if we could all do what you suggest and what he taught!''
From Michael Nixon of Virginia Beach:
``Everybody seems to have a cross to bear. Of course the ego has to survive, but as we release each of our fears we go toward unconditional love, and our cross becomes lighter and lighter. The Bible says your yoke shall be light and your burden shall be light, so I believe unconditional love is the way . . . Jesus was able to do that when he mingled with the prostitutes and the tax collectors and all the other people who we today would consider not so good.
``The point is, every soul is on their journey, experiencing their own experience. If we show them unconditional love like Jesus did we not only open our hearts, but we'll open their hearts as well.
``Also, I'm reading a great book by Alan Cohen, and he quotes Dolly Parton who said, `Get off the cross. Somebody needs the wood.' I guess that pretty much sums it.''
From Dale Wyatt of Churchland: ``I don't claim to be a theologian, but I would like to give you my view of the cross. I see two things.
``One, I see a man who loved and cared so much that he laid down his life for all people of all times. Whether I believe him or not, he believed it and my heart is moved by his honesty and sincerity. Jesus was either naive and foolish or else he knew something we don't know. The (people of his time) didn't believe him when he said he was going to rise again and we don't believe him now when he said he's coming back again. We really ought to learn from the first time around, because next time I think he's going to clean house.
``Second, I see mankind and how cold, cruel and harsh some people can be. How cold and harsh to beat, spit on, mutilate and kill another human being. Yet it continues to go on even now, 2,000 years later. Some people never learn.
``I think that if all people would learn from Jesus and try to practice what he preached, then we could have a wonderful world. But, I doubt mankind is going to do that, so I think Jesus is going to come back again and the next time he won't be like a meek little lamb that can be taken out and nailed to a cross.''
From Dr. Nancy Olthoff, of Old Dominion University Disability Services: ``When I read your article on Saturday, I was reminded of the words of a song that I like to sing, by Annie Johnson Flint.
`I look not back;
God know the fruitless effort,
The wasted hours, the sinning,
the regrets.
I leave them all with him
who blots the record,
And graciously forgives,
and then forgets.
`I look not forward;
God sees all the future,
The road that, short or long,
will lead me home.
And he will face with me
its ev'ry trial,
And bear for me the burdens
that may come.
`I look not 'round me;
Then would fears assail me,
So wild the tumult of earth's
restless seas,
So dark the world, so filled
with woe and evil,
So vain the hope of comfort
and of ease.
`I look not inward;
That would make me wretched,
For I have naught on which
to stay my trust.
Nothing I see save failures
and shortcomings,
And weak endeavors,
crumbling into dust.
`But I look up into the
face of Jesus;
For there my heart can rest,
my fears are stilled,
And there is joy and love,
and light for darkness,
And perfect peace, and
ev'ry hope fulfilled.' ''
CORRECTION: In last week's article, I gave the translation for Via Dolorosa - the route from prison to the place of crucifixion - as ``Way of the Cross.'' Several readers called to say the term is more accurately translated, ``Way of Sorrow'' or ``Way of Suffering.'' Sorry for the error, folks! MEMO: Every other week, Betsy Mathews Wright publishes responses to her
opinion column. Send responses to Issues of Faith, The Virginian-Pilot,
150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510; call (804) 446-2273; FAX
(804) 436-2798; or send computer message via bmw(AT)infi.net. Deadline
is Tuesday prior to publication. Must include name, city and phone
number. by CNB