Many things happen because of...
Illustration
Many things happen because of Easter. Lions lie down with lambs. Swords are turned
into plowshares. Miracles come at the least expected times. The rare qualities of peace
and joy are available to all. Revelation adds another wonder: we are all priests. That is
part of the incredible dignity of Easter.
Carlyle Marney tells the story that comes from Austin, Texas. A Roman Catholic priest called his friend, Blake Smith, who was pastor of the Baptist church. Very sick, the priest asked this Protestant minister to come to the hospital and hear his confession. The Baptist preacher came to see his Catholic friend. The priest knowing his time was near, poured out all the things that he wanted to ask forgiveness for. The Baptist preacher pronounced absolution over his friend the priest. Then the Baptist preacher said to the priest, "Now I want you to hear my confession. I want you to priest me." The preacher knelt and grasped the old priest's hand as he poured out his own litany of sins and shame. The priest made the sign of the cross over his brother-minister and pronounced absolution for all his sins. Dr. Marney observed that we are all priests to each other. That is the task of Easter Christians. We serve one another. We bear one another's burdens. We hear the confessions of one another. We grant absolution to our fellow broken brothers and sisters. We priest one another.
Carlyle Marney tells the story that comes from Austin, Texas. A Roman Catholic priest called his friend, Blake Smith, who was pastor of the Baptist church. Very sick, the priest asked this Protestant minister to come to the hospital and hear his confession. The Baptist preacher came to see his Catholic friend. The priest knowing his time was near, poured out all the things that he wanted to ask forgiveness for. The Baptist preacher pronounced absolution over his friend the priest. Then the Baptist preacher said to the priest, "Now I want you to hear my confession. I want you to priest me." The preacher knelt and grasped the old priest's hand as he poured out his own litany of sins and shame. The priest made the sign of the cross over his brother-minister and pronounced absolution for all his sins. Dr. Marney observed that we are all priests to each other. That is the task of Easter Christians. We serve one another. We bear one another's burdens. We hear the confessions of one another. We grant absolution to our fellow broken brothers and sisters. We priest one another.
