A Convenient Distraction

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6).  It causes Christians trying to make sense of a very pluralistic world a fair amount of embarrassment.  Just how exclusive is this “no one”? 

 

We know plenty of people of other faiths—Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and others—and for that matter, plenty of people of  no faith at all, who are people of good will, who care for the poor, who strive for justice and peace.  How can this be?  Surely “no one” is, at the very least, hyperbole.  Still, Jesus said it, and that means we must come to terms with it in the context of a world of many faiths and of no faith, in a world of vast challenges that require the cooperation of all across even boundaries of religion.  Jesus leaves us with a big question to ponder about where other faiths fit into the order of things. 

But there is a previous question.  In fact, what Jesus said about the way, the truth, the life, and coming to the Father was itself the answer to a question even if it leaves with a very great one.  Jesus spoke these words in answer to a question from one of the apostles, Thomas.  Speaking of Jesus imminent death, Thomas, as he is known to do, asked the question on everyone’s mind:  “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”  (v. 5)

It is a question worth asking.  Do we know the way?  That’s what Jesus was trying to get us to think about.

Thinking much about where Christians stand in relation to those of other faiths or of no faith is a convenient distraction from the main question—“How can we know the way?”—and its answer—“I am the way.”  I don’t have time to deal with the other one until I’ve dealt with that one.  Somehow, I think it may take me a while.

Peace,

The Goodwill of All the People

Not long after Easter Day, a community of believers formed around the apostles.  Its members spent much time in prayer and in learning.  They distinguished themselves in many ways, not the least of which was that they abandoned the practice of private property.  According to the Book of Acts, “they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need” (2:45).  It was as countercultural then as it would be now.  And a curious thing resulted.  This new community enjoyed “the goodwill of all the people” (v. 47). 

We have abandoned the former and lost the latter.  I suspect those facts are related.  It’s more complicated than failing to live up to our beliefs, though.

Christians have always failed to live up to their beliefs.  After all, we’ve got a pretty high standard.  I am fairly confident that was just as true of the first believers as it is of us.  And I’m pretty sure “all the people” will make allowances for that in the objects of their goodwill. 

What “all the people” long for, though, is some hint that there’s another way to live in the world than what we’re all used to.  They may not choose it for themselves, no matter how much they might long to, but they want to have hope for it.  We long ago ceased offering that in the main, and it is catching up with us.  It’s why one rarely hears a positive word spoken about Christians in the media.  What “all the people” see is the community of Christians just offering the same old same old.  That doesn’t earn much goodwill, and it doesn’t deserve to.

It’s why we’re all so fascinated with Pope Francis, I think.  He may be a moral giant, but I don’t think that’s what it’s about.  We’re pretty suspicious of moral giants out here in the world.  I think what “all the people” are seeing, though, is a glimpse of a different way to live.  And there’s hope in that.  We’re seeing hope for something different.  Amidst all the trappings of power and wealth that go with the papacy, Francis has not bought in.  Combined with that he shows random acts of compassion, light heartedness, and humanity.  He’s caught our imaginations.  He’s touching hope deep within. 

And he’s talking about the failures of the concept of private property and capitalism.  He’s talking about communities holding all things in common and distributing the resources based on need.  That’s not going to sit well with some, perhaps many.  But lo and behold, he’s enjoying the goodwill of the people, the real people.  We have something to learn from Francis.  And from Acts.

Peace,