LIVING WITH ANSWERS
The road is narrow and few find it - Mtt 7:13-14.
How do we really know we are on the right path to God? Some would answer that question by arguing about doctrine. This often takes place between two people with neither listening to the other.
One of the most effective ways of being freed of that arrogance is to explore the faith of someone from a different tradition. When I say explore, I mean to pray with and dialogue with the other. Then, if there are differences, we respect the other and value the unity which exists between us. This unity will be increased, when our praying together leads us to a unified effort to overcome injustice and relieve the suffering of the poor.
We can be certain that we are not on the right path to God if our daily living ignores those in need. The needy can be placed under many categories, but can even be those totally lost to the illusions of wealth, power and status. Everyone is loved by God. God condemns hypocrisy, but sinners condemn themselves. The compassionate God has forgiven us and is always calling us to be born again. This is how we should approach others as well. Praying for the world out of love, as well as offering whatever practical help we can, is a quality needed if we aim to imitate the compassion of our God.
The people of the Old Testament were taught justice. It was when injustice was seen that the prophets spoke up and condemned their hypocrisy. I ponder a lot these days on the message of John the Baptist, the forerunner to the Christ. He was calling the people to come and be baptised, a symbolic gesture of washing away sin. When the people asked what they must do, he replies: “If anyone has two tunics he must share with the one who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same” - Lk 3:10-11.
What was the sin being washed away? Injustice … caused by selfishness.
John didn’t say ‘believe in God’ in answer to their question. Nor did he say ‘open your hearts to the Spirit’. He didn’t need to, because if those listening to him were willing to share with those in need, they would recognise truth anywhere. Hypocrites are blind to the needs of those living in material poverty or suffering in any form and they are blind to truth. They simply don’t want to be challenged by the ‘letting-go’ which facing the ultimate Truth will require.
DISCUSSION: An openness to doing something about injustice in our own lives is essential to conversion. Do you agree? Why?
