A Reflection: Lent 2021

 A reflection on Acts 9:1-19

The words of Jesus, coming as an insight to Paul on the road to Damascus in this passage, could have been my cry last September: "Lord, why do you persecute ME?" Everyone given a diagnosis of cancer probably laments, "Lord, why ME?" 

Rather like Saul ultimately reacts, I have decided to take this challenge as a vehicle to speak of my own faith, as I truly feel I've been a "chosen instrument" to proclaim it through this ordeal. I can certainly proclaim the power of prayer. I know that many people have been praying for me, not specifically that I would be 100% healed, but would trust in God and lean on Him at this time to find acceptance. I can't begin to tell you the peace I have had since diagnosis and throughout treatment, and believe it is because of those powerful prayers! 

Saul was a changed man... when Ananias revealed to him what had transpired, that he had been chosen, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, was baptized, took some food, and regained his strength. Further, Acts 9 goes on to describe Saul as increasing in spiritual strength and understanding of Jesus as the Messiah, which is something that I am embracing.

I've read that Saul's, AKA Paul, mission statement is summarized in this verse: "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." Colossians 1:28-29.  "Him we preach" demonstrates that Paul’s mission had a focus: Jesus Christ. Paul’s preaching wasn’t focused on himself, his troubles, his humor, or his ability to entertain. It wasn’t focused on helpful advice or inspirational memes and messages (although they are encouraging). Paul’s preaching was focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ: "Him we preach."

I own a cross stitch sampler that belonged to my great-grandmother, which means more than ever to me. It simply states, "Relish with content, whatever providence has sent." I would suggest we face our trials, whatever they may be, and relish them by trusting and believing in Jesus Christ, focusing on him to get us through them, no matter what the eventual outcome. As Christians our belief in Jesus Christ as the son of God, in the long run, is the only thing that will really matter.

With that, I'll leave you with this, from Acts 16:29-31. 

29 Then he (a jailor in Philippi) called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before (the prisoners) Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Believe it.

Leah-Kay Ducato Rudolph

The Singular King, December 2019

Fall of 2019 I assisted at our annual Covenant Presbyterian Church rummage sale here in Scranton, Pennsylvania. While sorting and setting up the donated items, I found a manger scene that was brand new, and decided to purchase it for one of my 4 (soon to be 5) grandchildren.

When I got it home, I opened it to look at the characters. There was the obligatory Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, a shepherd, 1 cow, 1 donkey, 2 sheep, and 4 Kings. Wait... what? 4 Kings? On closer inspection, one of them was just a little smaller than the other three, and certainly not part of this set, as he didn’t have a place in the thermoform plastic tray the other pieces were securely placed in. Yet, he sure enough was a King… a dark-skinned King to boot. I immediately wondered how this singular king got mixed in and began to imagine the story that would come out of this blessing.

Shortly after, my husband and I drove to Little Rock from Pennsylvania to spend Thanksgiving with our older daughter, her husband, and our two beautiful granddaughters. They are members of 2nd Presbyterian Church, and while we were there Mayor Frank Scott, JR of Little Rock spoke at Sunday School. I was impressed by his personal story and rise to service in their community as an African American male raised by a his mother and grandmother. As he spoke, I knew he had to be the new owner of my singular King… especially when he said you had to leave at the conclusion of his talk to go preach on the Three Kings at his own church! When we got home I packed the king up and mailed it to him!

In the Mayor's words, “When we come together, we are more than just a series of neighborhoods and zip codes. We are the people of Little Rock, and we can change course for a better direction for our city if we have the will to do it.” Just like the Magi independently followed the star in the East to find the Messiah, he was following his own course, laid out by God, to effect positive changes in his neighborhood. 

I hope and pray I can follow the mayor's advice and do the same for our community here in Pennsylvania - not as a mayor, certainly, at my age and stage of life, but as a Christian woman, continuing to help others and being receptive to all, no matter who they are. 

NOTE: I became so intriqued with the story of the Magi, that I borrowed an interlibrary book, The Story of the Three Kings: Melchior, Balthasar and Jaspar, which originally was written by John of Hildesheim in the 14th c. It was so fascinating I located online and bought myself a second-hand copy the following year!