Dr. Martin Salia, who died of Ebola today, in a hospital in Nebraska, was a United Methodist who felt called to help and heal people in a difficult place at a dangerous time. His selfless service demonstrated the kind of fearless love to which Christ calls his followers. I recently read an article by an atheist writer who expressed some dismay that so many of the courageous volunteers who were coming to the aid of the Ebola stricken regions of Africa, were Christians. It should be noted that he couldnt find a single instance in which these medical workers ever required their patients to be, or become, Christians. I know that among United Methodist missionaries, that sort of behavior would be considered reprehensible and contrary to our deepest values. But, apparently this writer was concerned that some of the people whose lives were saved by these medical missionaries might adopt the Christian faith, purely out of gratitude. Yeah, that would be awful... But, at the end of his piece, he had to grudgingly admit that it was better to have these followers of Jesus filling the gaping holes in the African medical infrastructure, than to do nothing. It would seem there are not enough people who share his beliefs, to do so. Dr. Salia gave his life in service to people who could never repay him. He did it out of gratitude to the One who gave his life in love for him, and for the poorest of his patients. This Sunday, we will be remembering his parable of the Last Judgment, in which Jesus says, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Dr. Salia would have said that he did what he did, knowing full well the dangers involved, because of Jesus. It seems the height of presumption to criticize his motives. Its popular in some circles to dismiss religious faith a crutch for weak people. Frankly, Im just fine with providing crutches to people who have trouble standing or walking. But, there are untold thousands whose crutches have carried them to places of danger and sacrifice for the sake of others.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:32:51 +0000
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