All Saints Day on November 1 (often celebrated on the first Sunday of November) brings Catholics and Protestants (and even those in the Free Church tradition) a chance to reflect on examples of faith and courage that inspire others to follow suit.
Alexei Navalny was murdered earlier this year in a Siberian prison. He was a Russian dissident who stood up to Vladamir Putin and spoke up for democracy in his beloved country. He returned from exile voluntarily, knowing that he might be killed but understanding that he could not love from afar. His patriotism required his sacrifice, and his solidarity with his countrymen meant living in proximity to their pain.
Many did not know that it was Navalny’s Christian faith that motivated him. In a Christianity Today article, Navalny said he was motivated by the words of Jesus: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6, NASB). “I’ve always thought that this particular commandment is more or less an instruction to activity,” Navalny said. “And so, while certainly not really enjoying the place where I am, I have no regrets about coming back or about what I’m doing. It’s fine, because I did the right thing.”
CT editor Russell Moore comments: The very point of “hungering” and “thirsting” is that one is prompted to see that something’s missing—that the satisfactions on offer aren’t enough. The very appetite for such things is a sign that what one is hungering for, thirsting for, is really out there.”
Navalny’s widow has now taken up his cause. And many others have found courage to join her in honor of his witness. May we all find in our faith the resolve to stand up and speak up in this season of spiritual, social and political turmoil.
~ George A. Mason
30 October 2024
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