It's an interesting proposition: if you were placed in the shoes of Jesus – or any of his early followers who were tortured and killed for their beliefs – how much courage would you exhibit? John Chuchman begins his reflection today with the statement that "Jesus was Not a Wimp!" He ends with a question directed at each of us which essentially boils down to: how much courage would you exhibit if placed in the position of any of them?

Jesus was Not a Wimp!

For religionists of Jesus' time,
and still today,
the most important thing
is to obey
all the rules and regulations
of the established religion.

Nothing matters more,
even today,
to the hierarchy
and their minions
than
making sure everyone in their domain
toes the mark.

(Witness the Inquisition
and now the Oaths of Conformity
being demanded of people.)

Jesus showed us
the Way of Love
by teaching and Living
Situational Ethics
bringing Love into
each and every event in His life
despite established rules and regulations
to the contrary.

That took
and takes
COURAGE.

I have been Blessed
in being able to meet people
(Maryknoll Priest, Cleveland priest, Detroit Bishop, Wisconsin Teacher, Phoenix Nun, Priest)
who have exhibited Christly Courage
by choosing Love
over and above established rules and regulations
and paid the price.

They, like Jesus,
are role-models for me
not to be a Wimp.
You?

Love, John Chuchman

You'll find other reflections from John on his blog.

IMAGE CREDIT:
The background used to support John Chuchman's reflection has been sourced from stock.xchng one of the sources for free images on the net provided by people who voluntarily upload their work for others to share. Daniel Cubillas who is located in Spain provided today's image. A gallery of Daniel's freely available images can be found at: www.sxc.hu/gallery/dcubillas.

John Chuchman

[Index of Commentaries by John Chuchman]