One of the most helpful insights I received over the years was from a theologian who specialized in studying the mothers and fathers (the founding figures) of Christianity and Buddhism. This was just at the first stages of serious study of world religions.
She pointed out that “in all religions only a very small group are actually very religious.”
This means that the vast majority of people will live a religious life that does not have too much depth. The folks live on a religion to get us by.
But at the same time, you can say that most people miss a lot of their own lives. They got through the motions and get by.
Our Christian faith teaches us that the very Spirit of God is working in all of us humans. Some pay more attention but many just keep walking through the calendar days of life.
Human beings can be very self-centered , focusing only on their own family and their own survival. If you monitor their conversations, they are always talking about their own concerns. The needs of their neighbor very seldom surfaces. They get very upset as the price of groceries goes up but never once reflect on the reality of food shortages within Canadian families on a low income.
This is why Pope Francis (in speaking to a world audience) laments the great evil of indifference. ‘It is not my issue.’ Why should I even be concerned? Indifference is the serious cop-out. Am I my brother’s keeper?
When we are aware that so many people will have a Christiaan label but a very weak Christian spirit, we can still keep up our commitment to live vibrant and spirit-filled lives. My neighbor may not care too much but I want to give my very best to the mystery of God’s love coming alive in us.
The members of my family may have drifted away from a daily life of prayer. They are good people and work hard but that spiritual force that prayer brings is not active in their lives.
They do not take off every seventh day to be dedicated to worship and thanksgiving to God. The Sunday has become ‘their’ day, not God’s day.
You have learnt to be cautious with so many people and not bring up issues of social justice. For example, you never bring us the issue of the very poor wages that are paid to the unnamed women in Vietnam and China who sew and construct all our clothing. Sometimes your relatives become hostile when you bring for the issue of justice and fair wages.
Religion is never a cubby-hole thing that we pick up when we are in need. God permeates all of life. God is always moving us to become more of a human being. God wants to enlarge and enhance our life.
Even if the majority of my family is only minimally concerned about the things of God, I pray that I give my very best to serving and living the spiritual life I have been given.
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