October 27, 2024
Young Qiu
Hi St. Aidan’s, I am Young Qiu, a new member of this congregation, and also a new body in Christ. I still remember the first time I came here, which was also the first time I came to Diamond Heights. All I thought about was “how could no one even tell me the existence of this beautiful church and neighborhood before?” The gorgeous overlook of San Francisco city, lively creatures, the unpredictable weather (which I can never dress right for). I got a vague feeling that I would start a beautiful journey here. Standing before the Celtic cross at the front of the church, admiring the impressive beauty in front of me, I was thinking “God must truly love us and this world. Why else would He create such amazing things all around us?”
Love is the Alpha, is the beginning of everything, the first uncaused cause of the universe, and the starting point of my journey to God. Love is the Bible I found on my parents’ bookshelf. Actually my parents are not Christians. But my grandma was. This Bible was a wedding gift from my grandma as a sincere blessing to my parents’ marriage. It is a witness of love between two people. I am sure I was the first person opening this Bible. As a dumb teenager at that time, I was obsessed by those bizarre and mystic stories, especially those in the Old Testament. Those stories have stayed with me ever since, even though I was not a Christian back then. Love is a plane ticket to London. In London my friend invited me to attend Sunday worship with her, in an Anglican Church. “Seek and you will find” She quoted this notable phrase in synoptic gospels, which deeply moved me. We fell in love afterward and she became my girlfriend. Alongside this new love, I began seeking as well—an exploration of Christianity supported by my beloved and the Holy Catholic Church.
Love is universal. One thing I learned in St. Aidan’s is, God loves everybody, even someone skeptical like me. It is not easy to find the right church, especially for a consistent doubter like me. I have tons of questions about the Scripture, which is overwhelming for most people. People are really kind, they are too kind to think me as a pain in the ass, which I really am. But in St. Aidan’s things are different, because many of you are also “pain in the ass” just like me, also skeptical, also got tons of questions. The theological conversations with St. Aidan’s are different from those I have had elsewhere, no one is pushing “Truth” on me or correcting my thoughts. They just shared their inspiring idea about God and embrace others' perspectives. Love and Christ are the real fixed point here, not doctrine. I felt being loved, by the unique people here, and the God among us.
But love isn’t just about being loved. Love is about giving, sharing and taking action. “If Christianity is not reflected in the life of the person who proclaims it, then he is not proclaiming Christianity” said by Kierkegaard, the remarkable Danish philosopher and theologian. Before taking my leap of faith, I prayed, almost bargaining with God, “Please give me a chance to help people in Your name, and then I will be baptized.” I thought this would be a good way to let God prove his righteousness. God responded surprisingly quickly. A few days later after church, Janice told me about the need for volunteers at St. Aidan’s food pantry. God was calling, I got no reason to refuse. So I joined this friendly volunteer group, with others in St. Aidan’s and the community. Walking in love is walking inside of the church to choose vegetable for people, is talking with them to see how they’re doing this week. Walking in love means giving, but in food pantry I receive more than I give. For most of the time in the week, I’m a junior engineer, still learning my job. But for one hour on Friday, I would be friendly neighborhood celery man, giving celery to everybody and talking with them. The connection with people refills me with the energy of living and love. Giving celery is my superpower. But this power is not from myself, it is from the community, from the St. Aidan’s congregation, from the people here, from the almighty above.
Love is the Alpha, and the Omega, the ultimate purpose, the unbroken part in Good News. When I am in St. Aidan’s, I can always feel I am walking in a group of people who are sharing Good News, because we are so joyful and energetic. We are spreading love, not by abstract talk, but by concrete action. Here in St. Aidan’s, love isn’t theory; it’s a daily practice in both ordinary and special moments. Love, is the place we are walking together. Love, is our calling from God.
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