04/01/2004: "I've been humbled"
Well, I need to remember today's Quote of the Day more often when I open my stupid mouth (or type with my fingers). On March 23rd (it's hard to believe it's been that long) I made a post that I was frustrated with the Evangelical authors in an ecumenical book I've been reading. I begged all of you (with no reply I might add) to help me find an Evangelical who 'gets' it.
Well, not only did the very next chapter I read rebuke my frustration, but yesterday I read the final chapter of the same book that was written by an Evangelical who not only gets it, he puts my understanding of ecumenism to shame. I finished the chapter both impressed and bewildered. It was kind of a "yeah but... how can you... what the... wow, that's impressive!" kind of moment.
The man's name is David E Bjork and even though his last name sounds like it could be the spin off show from Mork and Mindy, I have a massive amount of respect for him now having heard his story. I even bought his book 'Unfamiliar Paths' on amazon.com this morning. The basics are that he went to France to start an Evangelical ministry and church there. France is one of those countries that is mostly made up of culturally Catholic people but has been resistant to Evangelical missionaries, which is unusual in culturally Catholic places. After spending some time leading bible studies, one of the attendees of the bible study asked him to come to Mass with him. At Mass he had an eye opening experience that brought him to believe that his mission was no longer to start a new church but to, as an evangelical!?!, help those he ministered to, to come back to their Catholic faith. And he's been doing this now for TWENTY YEARS! He hasn't converted, but has embraced the Catholic Church and its people.
It just blew me away. This is a man who understands ecumenism at it's fullest far more than I can pray to. I thank God for the ability to type because I'm nearly speachless. I humbly bow before God and pray for the the Christian love that Mr. Bjork has and ask for forgiveness for my sins of arrogance.
