The Journey 309
Read: 1 Kings 21
Jesus said “Truth shall set you free”[ John 8:32]. But there are times when truth is subtly and covertly hidden. These truth are sometimes communicated only partially so as to lessen or blunt the consequences that may happen if the truth is disclosed fully. This is a policy that is adopted by countries and organization to protect its internal security and matters and also for the well being of its people of the country and the organization. One such truth that was fiercely debated and something that is still kept in wraps is the attack on the US consulate in Libya on September 11th, which resulted in the killing of Ambassador and four others in the consulate. Though there is a huge controversy as to what actually resulted into this attack on the embassy, there is another person whose life was taken that day, as he protected the members of the consulate. The story is about an American navy seal Tyrone Woods, who was also killed in the attack. The family of Tyrone Woods is not only distraught that their son died while fighting for the country, but they are more distraught by the fact that no help seemed to have been dispatched to the consulate, as their son was fighting all by himself the Libyan militia. The father of Tyrone, Charlie Wood has been communicating to news agencies that probably life of the ambassador, his son and others could have been saved, if the government could have acted a little more wisely. One of the answers that he wants to know is to the question as to why US forces were not dispatched or why was there a delay that day when the consulate was being attacked. The response for this question that comes from different sources are varied and complicated. Hence the quest of a father to know the truth behind the matter. Charlie Wood says that his son is a hero, and one who had the moral strength to do what was right, even if it meant costing him his life and his job. He does not want any political implications to be ascribed in his search for truth and what he expects is that even people who are in authority should display the same moral courage that his son showed and thus in the process build a future generation of Americans who are morally strong in all aspects of their lives. I believe what Charlie Wood stated here in this context is truth, that life should not be build on lies and cowardice but on strong moral grounds. This is one of the hallmarks of a transformed life as a Christian and we are also committed to build our life on strong moral principles rather that building on cowardice and lies. The bible talks about a family who tries to build their life and their destiny on lies but in the end understands the futility of the whole exercise, which only resulted into doom and destruction.
The story of this family is found in 1 Kings 21 and that is the portion that we shall use for our meditation for our theme “Transformed Living”. The story revolves around a King who name was Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Ahab though king wants the property of his neighbour Naboth which was adjacent to the Kings palace. But Naboth refuses to part with his property because he feels his property is more valuable than money since it was his ancestral inheritance. The craze for having more land and property brings depression in Ahab and this forces his wife Jezebel to script a sadistic drama to kill Naboth and usurp his property. She plans a plot through the proclamation of a religious fast, where Naboth is made to be seated at the head and two scoundrels are made to seat along with him. They have been bribed to proclaim in the assembly that Naboth cursed both the king and God. These scoundrels do exactly as has been told and as a part of the evil plan, Naboth is stoned to death and his property taken over by King Ahab. What a sinister plot. What is more sinister and dubious is that Jezebel had the guts to use a spiritual tool or symbol [ proclaiming a fast] to achieve a selfish and immoral need of her husband. The wrath of the Lord is kindled and the prophet Elijah is sent to Ahab to proclaim the God’s judgment on him and his family. When Ahab hears about God’s judgment on him, he repents and ask God for forgiveness. But the sad part of Ahab’s story is that someone else has to bear the consequences of his actions. Here is a family who tries to build ones life on falsehood and lies. A family who has no guilt nor issues even to take the life of another person for financial gains and has the guts to use the garb of spirituality to achieve their selfish goals. Today as we live in this world we are torn by evil and selfish desire to build our life on treachery, lies and dishonesty for one own selfish pursuits of life or we also have the option to build our life on strong moral and ethical principles which is the hallmark of true Christian and the transformed lives that we live. The father of Tyrone Woods said that his son lived a life based on strong moral grounds. Let us also take a decision that our life will be based on strong moral principles which Christ ask us to live so that we are a witness to His power and grace.
Rev. Dr. Joe Joseph Kuruvilla
Jesus said “Truth shall set you free”[ John 8:32]. But there are times when truth is subtly and covertly hidden. These truth are sometimes communicated only partially so as to lessen or blunt the consequences that may happen if the truth is disclosed fully. This is a policy that is adopted by countries and organization to protect its internal security and matters and also for the well being of its people of the country and the organization. One such truth that was fiercely debated and something that is still kept in wraps is the attack on the US consulate in Libya on September 11th, which resulted in the killing of Ambassador and four others in the consulate. Though there is a huge controversy as to what actually resulted into this attack on the embassy, there is another person whose life was taken that day, as he protected the members of the consulate. The story is about an American navy seal Tyrone Woods, who was also killed in the attack. The family of Tyrone Woods is not only distraught that their son died while fighting for the country, but they are more distraught by the fact that no help seemed to have been dispatched to the consulate, as their son was fighting all by himself the Libyan militia. The father of Tyrone, Charlie Wood has been communicating to news agencies that probably life of the ambassador, his son and others could have been saved, if the government could have acted a little more wisely. One of the answers that he wants to know is to the question as to why US forces were not dispatched or why was there a delay that day when the consulate was being attacked. The response for this question that comes from different sources are varied and complicated. Hence the quest of a father to know the truth behind the matter. Charlie Wood says that his son is a hero, and one who had the moral strength to do what was right, even if it meant costing him his life and his job. He does not want any political implications to be ascribed in his search for truth and what he expects is that even people who are in authority should display the same moral courage that his son showed and thus in the process build a future generation of Americans who are morally strong in all aspects of their lives. I believe what Charlie Wood stated here in this context is truth, that life should not be build on lies and cowardice but on strong moral grounds. This is one of the hallmarks of a transformed life as a Christian and we are also committed to build our life on strong moral principles rather that building on cowardice and lies. The bible talks about a family who tries to build their life and their destiny on lies but in the end understands the futility of the whole exercise, which only resulted into doom and destruction.
The story of this family is found in 1 Kings 21 and that is the portion that we shall use for our meditation for our theme “Transformed Living”. The story revolves around a King who name was Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Ahab though king wants the property of his neighbour Naboth which was adjacent to the Kings palace. But Naboth refuses to part with his property because he feels his property is more valuable than money since it was his ancestral inheritance. The craze for having more land and property brings depression in Ahab and this forces his wife Jezebel to script a sadistic drama to kill Naboth and usurp his property. She plans a plot through the proclamation of a religious fast, where Naboth is made to be seated at the head and two scoundrels are made to seat along with him. They have been bribed to proclaim in the assembly that Naboth cursed both the king and God. These scoundrels do exactly as has been told and as a part of the evil plan, Naboth is stoned to death and his property taken over by King Ahab. What a sinister plot. What is more sinister and dubious is that Jezebel had the guts to use a spiritual tool or symbol [ proclaiming a fast] to achieve a selfish and immoral need of her husband. The wrath of the Lord is kindled and the prophet Elijah is sent to Ahab to proclaim the God’s judgment on him and his family. When Ahab hears about God’s judgment on him, he repents and ask God for forgiveness. But the sad part of Ahab’s story is that someone else has to bear the consequences of his actions. Here is a family who tries to build ones life on falsehood and lies. A family who has no guilt nor issues even to take the life of another person for financial gains and has the guts to use the garb of spirituality to achieve their selfish goals. Today as we live in this world we are torn by evil and selfish desire to build our life on treachery, lies and dishonesty for one own selfish pursuits of life or we also have the option to build our life on strong moral and ethical principles which is the hallmark of true Christian and the transformed lives that we live. The father of Tyrone Woods said that his son lived a life based on strong moral grounds. Let us also take a decision that our life will be based on strong moral principles which Christ ask us to live so that we are a witness to His power and grace.
Rev. Dr. Joe Joseph Kuruvilla