Journeying to Easter - Part 1ნიმუში

Going through the motions

It’s mistaken to see the Christian faith as merely a passport to heaven. Over the centuries, some who have embraced this faith have been so heavenly-minded that they’ve been of little earthly use. Trying to improve things on earth has been seen as a distraction to the main game, which is getting eternal life. But it’s God Himself who urges us to make a difference in our here-and-now world. Back in ancient times, He rebuked His people who had made faith about formal rituals. If they observed these rituals, they believed they were favoured by God. Instead of the rituals being just one expression of wholehearted worship, they became the sum total of worship.

God tells them that all their fasting and all their penance doesn’t impress Him one little bit. They need to back up their ritual actions with real-life actions, like treating workers fairly, advocating justice, and caring especially for the poor and needy.

How sad that this is sometimes seen as some sort of departure from the Gospel. It is God Himself who says that it is an integral part of our faith. We may not get to heaven by simply doing good works, but it seems we won’t get there without doing them, either. Our world is meant to be a better place because we, as people of faith, put our faith into practical action. Right belief involves right behaviour.

Written by DAVID REAY