This post comes
straight from my core. It's a passionate cry to millions who
call themselves Christians, but who seem to
live their lives in reverse of the words and example of Jesus.
For this reason, please allow me to express what I feel in English. I'm hoping my many Spanish-speaking readers can follow along.
A sticker seen on the backs of cars in the USA summarizes much of what I wish to express, with great sadness:
JESUS, PLEASE PROTECT US FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS
It's a telling jab at the Evangelical (
and not so moral) majority in my country. That one sentence
puts in stark contrast Jesus' message of unconditional love with the close-minded and cold-hearted "Churchianity" that is
marketed non-stop in the United States.
This indictment fills me with
great sadness. For
now is the time, in the midst of economic and moral crisis, for people to finally discover the TRUE JESUS as never before. Yet
the obstacles that prevent millions from knowing Jesus Christ are myriad and
often created by those very ones who claim to know Him.
But let me tell you a secret. (Come closer, I'm going to whisper it to you...)
Now, as then,
a seeker is not likely to find Him at church, nor snoring through a long-winded Mass. It's not
impossible, but often
improbable.
He will be most easily found
where His evangelio, His truly Good News, will be most welcomed. His love manifests itself "out there": on the streets, with the single mother, in the cancer ward, calling after the pushers and the pimps. Because
they understand forgiveness. And the need for
a new life. Oh yes: sometimes His message pursues and captures a few lost yuppies and professionals like myself.
It is to these He comes. THEY WILL FIND THE JOY. They will find the peace. The
Kingdom of Heaven, surprising many, in the destiny-fraught days to come, might just be revealed more quickly to a lesbian couple seeking God, that to a legalistic bishop or priest.
As my friend John Crowder puts it,
Jesus' message and sacrifice is so real and freeing that
His followers should be the epitome of joyous celebration. In John's words:
CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A FAST. IT'S A FESTIVAL!
To meet
the laughing Host of the Eternal Party, you'll need to steer clear of a lot of religious folk. Seek His smile, expect His touch
in the lives of those of His followers who move in grace, and live in love.
It may hurt some to read words such as those of
Phil Zuckerman in the Huffington Post: "
Why Evangelicals Hate Jesus". Yet it's of vital importance to do so. Because the Jesus they sell you on Sundays and on TV is a frayed, flannel-board faux Saviour, homogenised for the drive-thru, sofa-centered life of many Americans. In Zuckerman's words:
"Evangelicals don't exactly hate Jesus ... They do love him dearly. But not because of what he tried to teach humanity. Rather, Evangelicals love Jesus for what he does for them. (emphasis mine).
Through his magical grace, and by shedding his precious blood, Jesus saves Evangelicals from everlasting torture in hell, and guarantees them a premium, luxury villa in heaven. For this, and this only, they love him. They can't stop thanking him. And yet, as for Jesus himself -- his core values of peace, his core teachings of social justice, his core commandments of goodwill -- most Evangelicals seem to have nothing but disdain."
If you're seeking Him don't give up, despite the confusion and cold-heartedness you may have experienced in "Religion". He has clearly promised to be "the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him". Keep seeking, keep knocking, keep asking...
For, as the saying goes, to
know Him is to
love Him.
PHOTO CREDITS: Meryl Streep in "Doubt" (Miramax Films) / Cover of Phillip Yancey's amazing book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" (highly recommendable!)
