Speak His Name

When I was at the gym today, the news was covering the Virginia Tech memorial service. The part that I saw featured four religious leaders from the campus speaking about the tragedy. The first was a Muslim man, the next was a young woman from the Buddhist student association, the third was a Jewish woman and the final speaker was a Catholic priest.The Muslim man quoted the Koran and spoke about Allah, the Buddhist woman talked about Buddha, and the Jewish woman read from the Old Testament. But when the priest spoke, he didn’t read from the bible. He also never mentioned Jesus or even God. I thought it was odd that in a country where the largest religious group is still Christian, the founder of that religion was never mentioned. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so noticeable if Buddha and Allah had been spoken of moments before. It made me kind of sad that Jesus didn’t even get a mention. But, I guess when you say things like “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father expect through me” you don’t gain popularity with the masses. If we weren't so afraid of offending others we might acknowledge God and ask for his help. He has made great promises about how he’ll respond when we do. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14