Twenty years ago, the world’s media watched and waited as the local Amish community gathered to mourn and bury their children killed in an act of violence at their one-room schoolhouse.
When the service was over the preacher came out and announced to the media that the families had forgiven the attacker.
“Unthinkable!” Many responded. “Vengeance!” Others demanded. “An eye for an eye!”
Yet the Amish, who practice pacifism, would not retract their decision. They clung to their belief that vengeance and wrath are wrong. They explained that only God can take a life. And, pointing to Jesus’ own words, said they must forgive those who wrong them ‘not seven times but seventy-seven times.’
And while Scripture refers to these passages as signs or requirements of holiness, the detractors ramped up their attack on the Amish as being old-fashioned (noting that they travel by horse and buggy) and ridiculed their rejection of the use of modern conveniences, such as electricity, motor vehicles and the telephone.
The one exception seems to be the bicycle which, oddly enough, is their most ‘modern’ mode of transportation.
Which brings us to the question, “How are holiness and bicycle riding connected?”
While both may seem old fashioned in the eyes of the world, they both require the participant to get back up after a fall and try, try again.
Both holiness and learning to ride a bicycle also take time, patience and determination. And they both require an act of faith (to get started).
For the Christian, St, Paul writes, there should be no confusion between lifestyle and faith. We should not compartmentalize our faith and our everyday lifestyle. That defeats the purpose.
We are Christ’s witnesses in the world (and in church). And through our words and actions those who seek truth will find hope, discovering that through holiness comes salvation. And those whose holiness is revealed through their words and actions will, according to St. Paul, be spared the judgment of God.
Holiness never goes out of style.
That is why Jesus said, “Be Holy like your Heavenly Father is Holy.”
We are growing in holiness when we daily put into practice the virtues – humility, charity, chastity, gratitude, temperance, patience and diligence. In putting these into action, we show ourselves approved -- and like the Amish who forgave their attacker -- God may by glorified through our lives.
Are we up to the holiness test?
Do we have faith in God’s word? Do we believe that God will lead us through any difficulty or storm and, like Abraham, bless us for our faithfulness?
If we are, then it is time to dust off our bicycle, put some air in our faith tires, grease up our prayer chain, adjust our gear switch and get back on the bike trail.
God has provided each of us a road map for our use and is sending us over hill and dale to bring the Good News to everyone we meet.
Deacon John DeGano is assigned to St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Riverside.