[Listen to Asha read this story]
(Told by Gyandev)
I was one of fifty people from Ananda on a pilgrimage with Swamiji to Israel in 1985. One day we went to Nazareth and, after visiting the holy sites, we were moving through the lively street scene. Swamiji was enjoying the passing show when suddenly a young Arab man, apparently a Christian, accosted him with considerable fervor: “Do you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins?”
How would Swamiji answer that one? He couldn’t sincerely say “Yes,” but to say “No,” could invite a harangue, or even damage the young man’s faith—which Swamiji no doubt considered an even worse outcome. I thanked my lucky stars the question hadn’t been directed toward me!
Swamiji wasn’t troubled at all, however. In a kindly yet penetrating manner, he simply asked, “How can God die?”
The young man wobbled in shocked silence for a few moments, then departed.
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