EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
For a real bargain, try God
By Jack Kampfer
Everyone loves a bargain. Nothing entices us into a buying mood better than advertisements promising big markdowns. Car buyers could not resist zero-percent financing, even in a recession.
With Hawai'i's economy still suffering, lower prices are a powerful draw. Public television's "Antiques Roadshow" captivates us, because we would all like to discover that something Grandma passed on to us long ago is worth a small fortune. And who would not crow to our friends about the stock we bought for $5 and sold at $50? Bargains build our purses, and inflate our egos. If asked to name the greatest bargain we ever garnered, we might come up with examples similar to these.
Christians, on the other hand, may recognize that their greatest bargain comes from God.
Jesus Christ promises that those who love and follow him will rise from the dead as he did and have eternal life with him in heaven. For this magnificent bargain we pay nothing. God does not ask us for a large donation to charity, a life of poverty or a lifetime installment contract. God desires nothing like that.
Jesus has already paid the price of our salvation. He did that by giving his life for us. That's why Christians understandably make Easter a key celebration.
Because of Easter, Christians live with the assurance that life on earth is only a prelude to a future glorious life with God.
I remember the story of a terminally ill woman who was making advance burial arrangements with her pastor. She discussed the music and scriptures she desired at her funeral and how she wanted to be buried with her Bible. She had one unusual request.
"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand," she said.
"Why?" asked the pastor.
The woman explained that she had enjoyed attending many church socials and potluck dinners over the years. Whenever the dishes for the main course had been cleared, someone would tell her to "keep your fork."
"That was always my favorite part because I knew that there was something better coming, things truly worth looking forward to," she said.
There were always cakes and pies and the best desserts.
The Sept. 11 events and the war now being waged against terrorism in Afghanistan remind us of the suddenness and pain of death.
When death takes a friend or family member, deep grief and sorrow grip us. In our mourning, Christians can hold onto the consolation that this earthly separation is not final. Because Jesus has risen, we can look forward to union with our loved ones in heaven.
That was Jesus' promise.
It's still the best bargain you will ever find.
Jack Kampfer is a lay catechist at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Wahiawa.
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