Writings
I have no aptitude for criminology, but this much I know. If you are going to put someone on trial for murder, it helps to have a corpse. I am sure people have been convicted without one, just as I am sure that life insurance claims have been settled without one. But in both criminal cases and insurance cases, it’s helpful to have one. Corpses bring closure.
About a week ago, I received an inquiry from the person responsible for coordinating the clergy retirement ceremony at this year’s session of our denominational assembly. He didn’t say how many retirees there are….rumor puts the number at eleven or twelve….but he did say we would each be given four minutes (and not a second more) to speak.
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
Shopworn (and more than a little shaggy) is the story about the Methodist, newly arrived in heaven, being given a tour of the premises by St. Peter. Down the hallway they walked, Peter pointing out the doors. “Behind this door, the Catholics. Behind that one, the Presbyterians. And that door over there opens on the Lutherans. But when we pass this next door, we need to tiptoe very quietly.” “Why is that?” the Methodist inquired. “Well,” said St. Peter, “that’s where the Baptists are. And they think they’re the only ones here.”
