AS a deep thinking and reasoning Christian, I like to wonder aloud at Christmas about the possibilities of a world truly influenced by the whole of Jesus’ teachings.
In these modern times the various Christian Churches appear to be concerned about the size of their market share and emphasise different aspects of Jesus’ teachings.
The Catholic Church appears to uphold the traditions passed down through centuries, ie defining the Trinity, the life of Jesus and the saints, referring to the commandments, parables and other teachings from the Old and New Testaments.
People are baptised, sacramentalised, educated wherever facilities are available and various Church agencies do their best to meet the immediate needs of the faithful and the general population.
The impression one gets is that the Churches are stuck in reactive mode, reacting to the existing conditions.
If the Churches wished and so determined, I believe they could add the proactive mode to their functioning.
Jesus was both reactive and proactive in his actions and his teachings.
At age 12, Jesus separated from his parents and spent three days in the temple at Jerusalem to demonstrate the importance of discussing divine plans.
When teaching about giving bad example to the young, he was merciless in suggesting transgressors would be better dealt with by the penalty of death by drowning.
He made certain the place of worship could not be associated with commercialism, ie making money by fair or foul means, when he upset merchants by scattering merchandise and then chasing the moneychangers away from the temple in Jerusalem.
I believe the Churches remain confused, muted or silent on the issue of the dignity of the worker, ie on the parable of the worker being paid a full day’s wages regardless of the number of hours worked during the day.
Otherwise the Churches would take a credible stand on behalf of the rights of the worker.
If dealt with correctly, this issue may help establish the very principle of man being made in the image of God.
Another issue where the Churches may be sending mixed messages to the community relates to the practice of making money. Paying lip service about money being evil will not do.
The Churches need to be proactive and become innovative to demonstrate examples where truly co-operative ventures result in the reduction of the exploitation of workers, workplace stress, environmental damage and leads to greater stability of family life and increases physical and spiritual wellbeing.
A.A. DESOUZA
Howard Springs, NT
