Religion in Daily Life

Written 14 January 2000

On December 1, 1955, a 42-year old black woman boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. She took a seat in the back of the bus where black people had to sit. The black woman's name was Rosa Parks. After a few bus stops, the bus driver ordered Mrs. Parks to get up and give her seat to a white man. Mrs. Parks refused to stand up and give up her seat. Two policemen came on the bus and arrested her. Black people in Montgomery met at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church to show their support for Rosa Parks. The pastor of this church was a 26-year old black man named Martin Luther King, Jr. For more than a year, the blacks stayed off the busses. By her action, Rosa Parks interpreted the feelings of Black Americans in the 1950s.

What does it means to "interpret?" It is to explain the meaning of a word. Further, to "interpret" means to bring out the meaning of written material. An actor interprets the words on the page of the script. Again, to "interpret" is to understand, to place a meaning on an action or an event. An interpreter is a person who interprets words, ideas, events, even life itself. Parents are interpreters to their children. Teachers are interpreters to the students. Actors are interpreters to their audiences. Physicians are interpreters to their patients.

Look at three men who interpreted events for others in the Bible. Moses chose 12 men to act as spies and check out the land of Canaan. The majority of the spies came back with a negative interpretation of the chances to take over the land. Caleb gave a positive interpretation of the situation. Look at a man named Ananias. He interpreted to Paul the meaning of the blinding light Paul had seen and the vision on the road that spoke to him. Ananias helped Paul to see again physically and to see with his mind what God wanted him to do. Third, look at an old, nearly blind Jewish priest named Eli. The 12-year old boy Samuel slept in the Temple. God spoke in the boy's mind as he lay sleeping. The boy thought he was hearing the old priest Eli calling him. Three times he heard his name being called. Three times he went to Eli. Finally, Eli realized what was happening. God's voice was not a sound he could hear with his ears. God spoke in the boy's mind. Eli interpreted what was happening to the boy Samuel. God puts startling, creative, insightful thoughts into our minds today.

Cheers,

(The Rev.) Edward Chinn, D.Min.

Rector, All Saints' Church