Jesus and the disciples were really big on this hypocrisy thing. It seems Jesus never let an opportunity pass by without pointing to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, 'making them twice as fit for hell'. And where does that term vipers brood come from? Jesus was very much attuned to what hypocrisy lied our there in the religious elite.
Is today all that much different?
Most reasonable and intelligent people see the hypocrisy in things like the Republican party that now condones, dismisses and supports things they routinely railed against just a few scant years ago. People see the hypocrisy of being pro-life only when it pertains to an embryo. People see the different between that stance which is really just pro-birth and the hypocrisy of not supporting life, health and good nutrition in every other policy that they ignore or support. Make no mistake, pro-life for these hypocrites is nothing more than pro-birth.
What of the churches that claim love and make the sign of the cross with one hand while covering up the scandal of horrific child abuse with the other? Such abominations do not go unnoticed by everyone. Whatever moral authority that was there has withered away to a dusty miasma. It is no wonder the pews are emptying in record numbers. One of the ( not so ) funny things is that today is the day the Episcopal church remembers the Martyrs of Sudan. The Christian religious leaders there were wiped out wholesale. They lived under constant threat under shariah law and a 22 year civil war. Only five percent of the people were Christian when these people were martyred. Today, undoubtedly through the movement of the Spirit and the witness of real faith, 85 % of the people are Christian.
Witnessing and bearing the burden of hypocritical lawmakers and 'faith leaders' is burdensome and is taking it's toll making ill the name of Jesus in whose name they perpetrate frauds, great sin and hypocrisy. We should do everything we can to fight and remedy these evils by our loving actions and witness of faith as sure as the martyrs of Sudan did.
While we are fighting the good fight, let us also look deeply within to cleans ourselves of any hypocrisies we may hold or foster. Most of all, pray for peace and love to prosper under our diligent care.
Luke 6:39-49
He also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.
‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.’
No comments:
Post a Comment