When the Homily is about Immunology

Perfect Evangelism

Not necessarily for its efficacy, but rather for its heartfelt intent.

My 6 year old daughter Kelsey has, for as long as she has graced this world, had to deal with the fact that we are the only ones in our immediate local family who attend church. Indeed, we are the only Christians. She sees how integral the Orthodox faith is to our lives (Thank God….certainly not me) and has begun to wonder why we are not joined by family with whom we do everything, except pray or go to church.

Recently my wife found a series of pictures that Kelsey had drawn, which she intended to give to her aunt as an appeal to get her to go to church with us. They astonished me. I’d like to share them and when my scanner is working I will scan them for you all. What follows shall have to suffice for now

The first showed a women holding a young child before the communion chalice. A bearded clergyman held the sacred cup and two volunteers suspended the napkin below. She inscribed upon her image a label showing that the women was her aunt and the child her cousin Kayla. In big underlined letters to the side she wrote: “I wish you went to Church.”

The next page showed three separate boxed images (almost like a cartoon). The first was another picture of little Kayla and above her was a decorated communion chalice with spoon inside. Her inscription: “Kayla would want to go to communion.” In the next frame we again see Kayla, but above her this time is the Holy Gospel book - complete with Christ in the center and the blessed four gospel writers in each corner. Kayla speaks to us this time: “I want to hear the Gospel.” In the last frame we are shown her other cousin Cameron beneath an icon of some vested and bearded saint. “Cam might want to kiss the icons.”

Sometimes evangelism is for us just a veiled attempt at showing our rightness. But here before me sits an example of perfect evangelism. A heart, which recognizes the importance of community in communion, the wholeness of the faith which envelopes our everyday life, is lamenting the fact that this beauty is not shared with someone we love. She sees the error of our separation on Sunday mornings. Right or wrong doesn’t mean a damn thing, we should be standing before that Holy Cup together and that is all she cares about.

And in that last frame on the second page I noticed something very interesting: Cousin Cameron is wearing a crown. Yes….Kelsey, teach us.