Chaplain’s Corner- Harry Chelpon

Over the past 16 months, I’ve experienced much with many of you.  I’ve experienced the joy of visiting families in the hospital as they’ve welcomed a new life into this world.  I’ve visited families who are journeying through the illness of a loved one.  I’ve had the honor of helping celebrate the lives of ones who passed.  Through all of these experiences, I’ve also had the opportunity to reflect on my own readings, the comments of colleagues and friends and the observations of firefighters and EMS people I’ve interacted with.  I was touched, although not surprised, by the depth and breadth of love and support I saw for our colleagues.

With my religious tradition being Orthodox and my imagination in full stride, it also got me thinking about the number of recruiting poster figures the fire department has in scripture and how much all of our members, both career and volunteer, do to embody that spirit.

In scripture, my favorite fire department recruits would be:

4 friends lowering a paralyzed man down to Jesus in order to be healed, despite the monstrous crowd and having to remove the roof of the house to get him in (obviously these men would be truck or rescue candidates)  (Mark:2-5)

• A Centurian, arguably one of the most intimidating figures in the Roman Legion, showing compassion and humility and asking a non-Roman and lowly carpenter (Christ) to heal his servant, regardless of others’ perceptions of him (perhaps a future officer) (Luke 7:2-10)
• The good Samaritan showing mercy to the man who was robbed and beaten by thieves, with no reluctance concerning his own safety or expectation of repayment (either a firemedic or canteen driver) (Luke 10:30-36)
• Noah (clearly a TROT and swift water recruit) (Gen 6:11 – 8:18)

The lessons provided here have been heard often and by many.  They are not just part of my religious tradition but are inherent in most traditions.  And yet, in our line of work and with all of our traditions, we sometimes take them for granted.  Let us remember what we are called to do:  Be merciful as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36); Love your neighbor as thyself (Luke 10:27); There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)  Make no mistake, when the tones drop, despite all of the training and all of the drills and all of the pre-plans, lives are laid down for someone else.  That’s what you do.  You’ve all been called.  You show up every day with your lunch box and you go to work – for someone else – be it one of ours or one of the citizens.

I pray that God bless you and keep you safe.