I've been thinking this afternoon about Easter, resurrection, and complacency. The modern Catholic church - Christianity in general, I think - has become too complacent. The original outlandish and crazy beginnings have fallen pretty flat and lifeless. We've gone from the in-your-face miracle of the resurrection to employing thousands who labor over the details of administering property and investments, or determining that slight changes in liturgy are more proper than what we currently have.
I think a lot of churches have lost track of the crazy miracle of God becoming human, living with us, working miracles, and then being killed as a criminal. We have politicized and commercialized religion - the revolution has gone corporate. When you look at the message of the church and of Jesus, it has something to offend everyone - Republican, Tea Partier, Socialist, Democrat and all the rest. We all tend to pick and choose among the messages, lest the whole thing really take hold and cause too much discomfort.
When you look at your fellow human being and can see Christ in them (and you can, if you are really looking), the craziness of the world becomes all the more apparent. And the message of the Gospel becomes more consistent and clear... and maybe a bit uncomfortable. It goes against society and our self-centered nature. It's crazy, revolutionary, outlandish, and uncomfortable - until, perhaps, we have the courage to see it with new eyes.
Recent Comments