FROM THE PULPIT: ON BECOMING AN ALLELUIA PERSON

Throughout the 50 days following its celebration of the Lord's Resurrection, the church reminds its baptized members that they are called to be witnesses in their world of Jesus' victory over death. Through Baptism we have been joined to Jesus and have been made members of God's household.

As brothers and sisters to Jesus, the Scriptures assure us that we can expect a similar victory over death.

As we begin to comprehend the meaning and magnitude of the Resurrection, it spills over into our daily lives and our daily activities. We are continually being invited to live as ALLELUIA persons.

I would define an ALLELUIA person as someone who is full of joy and is continually looking for ways to do good deeds.

Another definition would be to say it is a person who strives to live all his/her daily responsibilities as a prayer of praise to our Creator.

Sylvia Strayton of Cincinnati, Ohio, is an example of such a person. You may recall reading about her last fall when her activities helped her acquire a national notoriety.

This 62 year-old grandmother undertook as her ministry the feeding of coins into expired parking meters with cars parked in their space.

For her efforts to help strangers avoid parking fines she was arrested and found herself facing the possibility of up to four months in jail.

Sylvia Stayton was not the first disciple to get into trouble with authorities for doing a good deed with the best intentions.

In Acts of the Apostles (4:8-12), Peter and John found themselves in trouble for the good deed of healing a cripple.

As part of their defense, the Apostles stressed that carrying out the instructions of Jesus was their first concern.

Similarly, in the midst of her ordeal, Sylvia was quoted as making this observation: "Don't stop doing good deeds. The world needs more wonderful people!"

Hopefully, as we conclude this millennium and begin the third millennium of Christianity, more and more Christians will take seriously the invitation to live their daily responsibilities as ALLELUIA PERSONS!