The Age of Consent

I read two scripture-based books every day: Magnificat, a Catholic devotional, and Forward: Day by Day, an Episcopalian meditation. Both require me to read the Bible daily (Old Testament readings and New Testament readings). It's a great experience; both rewarding and troubling when you meditate and pray about what the reading is telling you.

In yesterday's Forward: Day by Day, the reading was Acts 8:1-13. In this chapter of Acts, Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power who has performed miracles and preaches the Word, is stoned to death. Saul (who would later become St. Paul) is there and consents to his death.

The author of the meditation in Forward focused on the words, "Now Saul was consenting to his execution." He asks whether Saul was an active part of the stoning of Stephen, or whether he was just minding his business and just saying nothing. In silence there is consent, according to the Episcopal priest writing this meditation. He writes:

But if we would follow Jesus, we cannot always take the hands-off attitude or let the next person make the difficult decision. Sometimes we are the ones who must take the risk of standing up for the right. Eventually the moment to decide comes upon us, the moment to step up and shout "No!" or "Yes!" As Edmund Burke is reputed to have said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

As I pondered this thought, I wondered about the issues we as a society are silent about. Genocide, hunger, AIDS, poverty, war, etc. I mean, sure, we have charities and celebrities that bring attention to people and places in need. But, how often are we silent in our everyday lives? How often am I silent in the face of evil? The answer is probably too often.

Which of course, brings the question of what to do about it. What do we do about it? How do we convert from an Age of Consent to an Age of Standing Up For What Is Right?

Think about it and get back to me.