Let Our Light Shine

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Jerry Cronin
Special to the Independent

“True godliness does not turn men out of the world but enables them to live better in it, and excites their endeavors to mend it.”
— William Penn

This past June I had the unique opportunity to visit Japan for three weeks as part of a Japanese government program for American teachers through the Japanese Fulbright Memorial Fund Fellowship program. Of course I always find travel interesting because both the traveler and people in the host country learn many things about each other’s country and many barriers are broken down. I always think about how GOD had to punish our wickedness near the Tower of Babel and confound us. I also believe that each of us is a unique creation in the eyes of GOD and that HE doesn’t want us fighting wars and killing one another no matter how we try to justify it.

One of the more unique places to visit is the 75 foot tall giant Buddha in Kamakura. Many Japanese people follow the philosophy of Buddhism but they live it more than profess it. There were numerous shrines and holy places in every prefecture that we visited. I am happy to say that spirituality is alive and well in Japan. Can I say the same about the United States?

When I asked the family I stayed with in Inagi City about the Japanese belief systems, they mentioned that they didn’t attend church per se but instead lived by the dictates of Buddhism every day as a way of living. The traditional Diné people will tell you the same thing about the Sa’ah Naaghaii Bikeh Hozhoon manner of living… it isn’t something to turn on for one hour a week at a church service but instead it’s something to live for a lifetime. We did attend a Buddhist ceremony at a private, girls’ academy and saw how to properly prepare for prayer which was also rather interesting but not that different than how Quakers meditate in our weekly meeting.

As I reflect upon what this really means for all of us, I realize that the Christian message asks us to do the same thing. In fact, I believe we need to reflect more on the ministry of John the Baptist because we also live in similarly difficult times. Are any of us ready to abandon our GOD given and GOD nurtured lives and truly follow Jesus?

“and a voice cried out in the wilderness, make straight the path for the kingdom of GOD is at hand”

John abandons ALL worldly comfort and attachment and goes out in wilderness and devotes his entire life to what GOD tells him to do. He lives not on bread and fancy food but on the word of GOD instead. His penance, poverty and commitment are the stuff that legends are made of… what an impressive example for all of us today. John is beheaded because he preaches the truth and reveals the wicked sinfulness of Herod’s daughter.

My service to GOD includes working with inmates at the adult detention center. We read passages directly from the Bible and discuss what they mean to all of us today. Quakers have a long history of working to rehabilitate prisoners because for many generations Friends (Quakers) were held with other prisoners because early Quaker people were prisoners of conscience. Our opposition to violence and war stems precisely from what JESUS taught in his Sermon on the Mount… however, we have always been on the fringes of society and often treated badly by the mainstream congregations.

This leads to my final comment, which is deeply troubling to me. The Gallup Friends Meeting might close soon because we are lacking members. I will always follow John’s example and be that trumpet in the wilderness, that voice of conscience that cries out in the wilderness and not concern myself with who heeds that cry or not. One of my favorite passages from the Old Testament is:

“as for me and my house… we will serve the LORD!”

You can reach Good-man Jerry Cronin at jspcronin@yahoo.com 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, located next door and to the east of the Octavia Fellin Public Library.

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.