Perhaps it is time for a Revolution

I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”

― C.S. Lewis

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We have got it wrong somehow Lord

somehow so very wrong

we have turned our faith into that proverbial opiate

meant to numb and calm

and allow us to be who we are

who we always have been

to allow us comfort

and so we push through life

not only ignoring the harsh realities around us

but finding ways to use our faith

to justify and even support those realities

and so we wander through the valley

oblivious

justifying

poverty become a judgment on those so afflicted

“they are lazy and do not deserve help” (almost any conservative federal legislator)

Wealth becomes a sign of God’s blessing

“let their fellow workers donate a thanksgiving meal to them” (Walmart)

numbers in the pew become more important that spiritual growth (Mega Churches, more about entertainment than anything)

hiding behind rules and polity, become more important than looking at people

the way Jesus looked at people (UMC)

pushing political power as the way to be Christian more important that serving others in the name of love.

and so we have the oddity

of people wandering around saying  they are Christian

and saying and doing such un-Christ like things

I love the fact that Christ say he came to bring joy, love, and peace

I hate it when the church becomes a burden, and afflicts people with

Misery, hate, and guilt

It seems that Jesus was right

The more we make things about us

The more we let the ego,

With its agenda of power, wealth and  uber-righteousness

(righteousness defined by those with the power and wealth of course),

rule

The more the church becomes the author of misery hate and guilt

Rather than joy, love, and peace

It seems like the church today is in double jeopardy

that it is persistently going down a path

that afflicts not only others

but in a way we may not yet clearly understand

afflicts the church itself

the path of power (for the church)

and fear (for everyone not like us)

ultimately destroys

perhaps this is why

the church is making the news only for its

judgments

its divisions

its erosion

perhaps we need

a revolution

one of those odd revolutions

where love

casts out

fear

and where fearless

because of our connection with God

the Sacred

we dare

abandon our places of power

our trappings of wealth

our moral superiority

and kneel in the dust

and

having had our own feet washed

wash feet

alongside the creator of the universe

perhaps the world

perhaps others

will look different from down there

I dare say it may not be

comfortable