Luke 14
Probably you have watched at least one movie, where one character obstinately clings to rules and protocols while another one, usually the leading character, simply wants to solve a present issue with whatever resources available. War movies and cop shows are common examples of this situation. The former one values procedural propriety more. The latter focuses more on the final result. In real life, either of them cannot be ignored. And both of them can fall prey to blind spots. The former can be a cold bureaucrat, who doesn’t care about actual problem solving but only cares about own personal job security. The latter can risk the stability of the order of hierarchy in a community by ignoring proper channels of workflow. In sum, when we lose sight of the goal or purpose of a community or a job, we can neither accomplish our missions nor keep our community in order. When we only cling to the letters of law, we lose its spirit and don’t bring any benefit. When we ignore law but only want benefit, only competitions and conflicts rule.
Jesus asks the scholars of the law and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” They were silent. And he speaks again, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would you not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” Again, they were unable to answer.
Jesus was not ignoring or abolish the sabbath law. He was asking about its spirit. But the lawyers and the Pharisees didn’t want to reveal its spirit or purpose because they wanted to hold their authority and control. They were not interested in accomplishing the goal of the sabbath law, which was rest and thanksgiving. But they manipulated the law to reinforce their power and to control the people.
When we lose sight of the purpose of our religion, it becomes a cold and oppressive structure of regulations. The purpose of Christianity on earth is to bring the salvation of souls. The Church exists precisely for this purpose as her Head, Christ, offered himself to redeem the man. Everything and anything Christian should point to this goal. Otherwise, we will be like salt without saltiness. Have we been or are we always faithful to this purpose? Many people leave the Church because of bureaucrat pastors and job-security-first clergy. Many people don’t go to church because many fellow Christians don’t fear God but only pursue their selfish profits. Let us ask ourselves if we are faithful to our calling. Am I a part of God’s salvation for all?
