Society & Culture

Bearing the cross, man speaks out on voter disappointment, division, forgiveness

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by Guy Page

Tuesday morning, January 19 2021, Marcus Szczecinski of Starksboro hefted an eight-foot-tall cross and spoke and prayed on the steps of the Vermont State House about love, forgiveness, unity and repentance. A knot of well-armed state police stood in the background. A small group of supporters listened as Marcus, a Church at Prison ministry volunteer and lay preacher, prayed and delivered a humble, timely message of relevance to Christians and non-Christians alike.

This isn’t the first time Szczecinski has carried this cross in public. He and others have carried it in the streets of Burlington on several occasions over the last two years. The cross was made by Timothy Szad, a Christian, convicted sex offender, and skilled carpenter who has helped refurbish the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department.

Szczecinski talked about Vermont and America’s political divide, but didn’t assume that God was “for” one side and against the other. He quoted a warning of Moses in Deuteronomy 28:14 : “Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.” Marcus quickly added, “I don’t think Moses was talking about the politics of today.” But he does wonder if Americans have been making idols of their political parties and figures.

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Speaking to voters whose choice for president lost: In video #1 (above), Marcus addresses disappointment felt by people whose preferred presidential candidate: “We are called to pray for those in authority over us. I have my political leanings, but this cross is not about political leanings, it’s about Jesus. If the person we voted for lost, and someone else won, we’re going to have to live with that. I know so many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ who voted differently than I did, and the Lord has opened up my eyes, to loving them, to forgive, and to ask for forgiveness for myself where I need to ask for forgiveness.”

What would Jesus say about division: in video #2 of five, Marcus is asked by editor Guy Page of Vermont Daily what Jesus would say about all of the division in our state and our country. “‘How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity,'” Marcus quoted Psalm 133. “The ideal is that there shouldn’t be division, there shouldn’t be fighting. He says that the greatest commandment is that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.”

Healing, forgiveness, unity: In video #3 of 5, Marcus prays for healing, forgiveness, and unity. The following is excerpted: “Father God, how good it is when brothers live together in unity. We have the bond of all being Vermonters. This is where we live. We pray to live together in unity. Not yelling at each other, but loving each other.”

Spiritual ramifications of pandemic – In Vermont Daily video #4 of 5, Marcus explains that “the Lord was speaking to me in the spring when Covid started…how the Israelites had sinned…and the Lord sent venomous snakes after them, and the people were dying. I could not help but notice the parallel with what has been going on in our land, that people were dying…..”

Forgiveness from the cross – In video #5 of 5, Marcus talks about the forgiveness of the cross (excerpted). “Jesus…died on the cross for our sins. This cross – you notice Jesus isn’t pinned to it anymore. He already died. This cross is to give us eternal life. Christ is risen! We serve a risen Lord!”

Categories: Society & Culture

3 replies »

  1. Very good article from a Christian ,we need more of this,that being said Mr Page, I would gladly volunteer!! Please let me know!!

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