Spiritual Perspectives
The Fingerprint of God

By Jerry Cronin
Special to The Independent

Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unwittingly entertained strangers. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them — those who are mistreated — since you yourselves are in the body also.

— Hebrews 13:3

I recently returned from a National Endowment for Humanities seminar held in Stratford-Upon-Avon in England. This birthplace of “The Bard” has led to the founding of its own type of religion. Many people come from all parts of the world to celebrate the man who has had more influence on the English language than any other single person. However, the more I looked in human devices for spiritual inspiration, the less I found it. Instead of finding God’s imprint in the massive buildings dedicated to human folly such as castles, I found His fingerprint in the stunning beauty of the Cotswold (hills and dales) area of north-central England.

While visiting parts of England, we had the opportunity to see castles, structures, bridges and buildings that have made the country famous for centuries. Is it possible to visit “the mother country” without seeing these fabulous structures? But where is God in all these monuments? While walking among the ruins of Kenilworth Castle, it was so evident that what was once so great to kings John, Richard II and Henry the IV has long since fallen down and returned to the earth from which it came. The people who once surrounded them and moved at every beckon and call — where are they now? The castle ruins lie like silent sentinels to man’s historical belief that somehow what we do today matters so much to future generations.

As a Quaker in England, I had the chance to worship with brothers and sisters in an un-programmed Friends meeting in Stratford-Upon-Avon. I was a little disappointed when I discovered that I was one of only two worshippers that was under the age of 75! I have written in this column about the aging of Christians and wondered where so many of our young people are going to church. We lamented the fact that a British person needed a coat on the streets of Stratford while their (and our) government spent so much money on a civil war in Iraq. Quakers have long held that we need to take Jesus literally when he preached non-violence and passivism. It should be very clear to all of us that Jesus himself spoke of the need to “turn the other cheek,” so why do we have such a hard time practicing that doctrine?

In the passage above from Hebrews I quoted the Apostle Paul. On Sunday nights I have the unique opportunity to serve God through prison ministry in the adult detention center on Boardman Drive. Pastor Eddie Gooden from the Wingate Baptist Church is our pastoral leader, but we treat each other as equals in the eyes of God. This ministry has given all of us the unique perspective that we are all prisoners of sin unless we choose the righteous path that comes from following Jesus! Many times in the Quaker/Friends meeting, I find myself praying for the inmates and cancer survivor group members that I witness to here in Gallup. It reminds me that no matter where I go in the world or what I choose to do with the gifts that God has granted me, I always know that He is there with me to assist me and help me.

Following Jesus can be a lot like being a tourist overseas. We lose our way and have to turn to his word to find our way back to the path of righteousness that Jesus set out for us. He is always ahead of us serving as a beacon in the darkness and a light in the world. I now realize that God is there whether we worship him from behind prison walls or castle walls; His light shines before men always! Should you ever travel to the Cotswolds of north-central England, remember to be still and look for God’s imprint in the beauty that surrounds you. May it touch you to your soul like it did to me.

You can reach Good-man Jerry Cronin at jspcronin@yahoo.com or (505) 863-4796 if you have any questions about the un-programmed Quaker meeting. We meet at noon every Sunday for First Day services at the Red Mesa Center, 105 W. Hill.

This column is written by area residents, representing different faith communities, who share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues. For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at The Independent: (505) 863-6811 ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.