Something the monk said got me thinking. If Jesus were to come (flesh and blood) into the world today as he once did, what do you think he would say about this generation? The people of Capernaum, Bethsaida and Chorazin were better than this generation, were they not? What about the people of Sodom and Gomorrah?
Were they as sodomic as this generation? Imagine what he would then say about the leaders of the Church of this generation (all denominations). Have you ever tried to imagine Jesus flying around in private jets when most people of his congregation cannot afford a common bus ticket? Or consider the very absurd idea of Jesus riding big cars and living in gigantic super mansions, when a majority of his flock languishes in abject poverty. Would Jesus treat people as though they were thrash – as though they were mere things below the level of human beings? Would Jesus reject even the most notorious of public sinners for fear of losing his self-image? Would he run away from preaching in the very heart of violence for fear of losing his life?
Were they as sodomic as this generation? Imagine what he would then say about the leaders of the Church of this generation (all denominations). Have you ever tried to imagine Jesus flying around in private jets when most people of his congregation cannot afford a common bus ticket? Or consider the very absurd idea of Jesus riding big cars and living in gigantic super mansions, when a majority of his flock languishes in abject poverty. Would Jesus treat people as though they were thrash – as though they were mere things below the level of human beings? Would Jesus reject even the most notorious of public sinners for fear of losing his self-image? Would he run away from preaching in the very heart of violence for fear of losing his life?
What about the whole attitude to miracles, signs and wonders? Would he begin to publicize every one of his miracles as though he actually came to center the attention of the people on miracles? Would he not care about the damage that the so-called publicizing of miracles would incur on the poor victims? Would he spend so much time on his appearance, wearing suits and blazers that cost a fortune when many around him live below the dollar? Would he employ so many people to work for him as though he were a King? How would Jesus seem if he were to have fat bank accounts in as many banks as humanly possible, when a majority of his disciples lacked even one square meal? How would it seem if Jesus were to go about today with shoulders high and as proud as a peacock, as though he owned the world (even though he actually does own it)?
Would Jesus not rather abandon the mansions, the jets, the superfluous cars, the fat bank accounts, etc, and go on barefoot into the remotest villages, to the very same people we have turned our backs on – the very same people we have abused, exploited, used and rejected? Would he not go and listen to the tales of the many men, women and children who come from afar, many times in a week, just to see us? Would he not be found in their farms, their markets, and of course their homes? Would he not personally heal their sorrows and distress? Would he not help the hopeless of them to find hope? Would he not wipe the tears of those of them buried deep in sorrows? Would he not care?
So when we say God is not MERCIFUL we need to have our heads re-examined.
And when we say we are ministers of God; other Christs, I wonder: “WHO ARE WE DECEIVING?”
And when we say we are ministers of God; other Christs, I wonder: “WHO ARE WE DECEIVING?”
*(c) Oselumhense Anetor 2012.*
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