Are We Pharisees or Disciples?

I read in the news this morning how the Methodist Church is instituting a ban against LGBTs, making it a punishable act for any minister to marry a same-gender couple.  They are also saying there is no place for homosexual ministers within the Church.  On reading this, my first reaction was one of anger and indignation... which eventually gave way to a very deep sadness.  Are they truly going to judge others solely on the basis of their sexuality?

Jesus did not judge.  He loved and accepted people for who they were.

I shake my head in sorrow and disbelief at what organized Christian religion is becoming.  How does one preach words of love from the pulpit while living a message of non-acceptance... even hatred?  How sad it is that church leaders... those who have dedicated their lives to follow Jesus... to live the Gospel... are more like the Pharisees than Disciples.

 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)

How much easier it is to foster hate than love!  Instead of standing strong in living and encouraging others in the two commandments set forth by Jesus, they resort to making their own laws... and sow the seeds of hatred.

I am a Christian.  I am also part Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Ba-Hai, etc.  All religions are part of who I am but the one I follow is Jesus.  We are all one family, sharing the one father, God.  Every human being... every living, breathing thing... is related.  We all have God’s DNA within us.  We are all brothers and sisters regardless of our differences.  We may not agree with one another and that’s okay but it is not up to us to judge them.

One day I voiced my annoyance concerning my brother to Mom.  Concerned about a possible rift, she asked, “Why don’t you love your brother?”

“Oh, Mom!” I responded.  “I do love my brother.  It’s just that sometimes I don’t like him very much.”  She nodded her head in understanding.

The thing is, Jesus doesn’t tell us we are to like one another.  His commandment is that we love one another.  That doesn’t mean we have to agree with all they say and do.  How boring that would be!  But... we are called to love and acceptance.

One thing about human nature... a thing we often forget... is that, often what we dislike in another, we dislike in ourselves.  It is the reflection of that part of ourselves we wish wasn’t there and try to ignore.  So what so we do?  We point to the other... lash out at the one who is different... hoping no one sees the differences within us.  When we can accept and love ourselves as God’s children, we will accept and love others as part of our family of ONE.  We are all perfect in the eyes of God.  Our idea of perfection is not the same as God’s.  Who are we to judge others?

As one who was raised Methodist and converted to Catholicism, I have an interest in both denominations.  I am ashamed of the actions of those who have strayed so far away from Jesus’ teachings.  Why is church membership dwindling?  Why are many... especially the youth... not attending?  Because of the hypocrisy... the negativity... the duplicity. 

Are we lost in the darkness?  If we are, it is only because we are blind to the presence of the light... for it illuminates our way. 

Regardless of a church’s man made laws, each individual person will have to come to terms with who they, themselves, are.  That’s where they have to stand... and stand strong.

We are family!
Connie