The Pain of Inequality
When we think of the worst heartaches our Protestant ancestors were forced to endure, a multitude of harsh realities come to mind. Physical harm was of course the foremost danger . . . torture and death was imminent for much of the Reformation’s early history. Yet we seldom ponder the emotional longing for equality. The sense of injustice. The desire to belong. Of course the early Protestants understood the concept of living “in the world, not of the world,” but it must have been difficult to walk through a city square and be immediately suspect. It could have been the clothing they wore. Their demeanor. Their conversation topics. A neighbor’s condemnation bringing the delicate subject of faith to light. Whatever the particular instances, humans have an innate desire to belong and to be treated as equals. It must have been painful and frustrating to not only be treated with indifference but to be mocked and vilified for their faith.
On an entirely different note, in my post of April 04, I mentioned there was a man killed in the Matanzas massacre in Florida on October 12, 1565 named Monsieur Sainte Marie. Unfortunately I have been unable to discern his Christian name, but I discovered he was an officer connected to French explorer Jean Ribault’s entourage. He held the rank of captain. Thus there was a good chance that he was a man of high standing. Sadly, I can construct only his final moments. I can imagine the fear, the confusion, the indignation, and the numb sense of resignation that flashed through his mind as his hands were tied behind his back on that bloody beach. Yet I know nothing of his life, his family, his past adventures. I can only hope that such details will someday come to light.
(c) 2012 Joyously Saved
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