Remembering the Rabbi

Rabbi Goldstein.  Port Arthur minister's association.  The Rabbi was to talk on the Christian communion.

Holocaust survivor, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of History, and working on a fifth.

80 years old with the energy of an athlete at 40!  Deep sense of history.  Always drove that insanely long Chrysler, often a little careless about things like traffic lights.  Always in a hurry.

Why write about him?  Because at least once a year, it is worth tapping into the beliefs of every ancient religion:  the "remembered" live.

Why write about him?  Because a very provocative realization crossed my desk yesterday!  If Jesus was (and is) "the Word made flesh", and the Word was available within the Old Covenant, and to know the Word is to know God, and no one comes to God except through Jesus who IS the Word, then...............

What do I "do" with the Rabbi?  He doesn't fit the language with which I was brought up.  The Rabbi is "brother" in some difficult to express manner.  I don't understand it all, but there is a clear sense that I should remember him with a special kindness, because that's how God deals with all of His covenant people, whether I understand it or not.

The "family of God" is chosen by Him, without consultation with me.  Like Jesus said, He has other sheep in other folds.  In all of this, there is the sense of a very large door swinging open, almost soundlessly.  And behind that door?  So big!

And there is a peace in that!