Casualties of Religion

Gospel: Mark 8: 14-21

The unavoidable consequence of the institutionalization of religion is the categorizing of people into different classes, often referred to as "our people" as opposed to "those others." Religious institutions focus on caring for "their people" and neglect a host of others who are hungry and hurting, thereby increasing the hunger and hurt that exists.  The leaven of the Pharisees was the law that set limits on love - who we should love and to what extent.  This is what we must avoid.

When Jesus fed the multitude who followed him, he went beyond the limits the law imposed.  The law did not obligate him to feed them, but he did so - and he did so without discrimination.  All were fed; none were left to go hungry.  There was no distinction between "our people" and "those others" - there was, and is, just our people.  All people are our people. Jesus went so far as to violate other parts of the law in order to help other people in need, for love and care for others is the whole law.  Nothing else matters.

Let us beware of attitudes that would seek to limit our care for others to only a select group of people.  We must avoid the specialization of ministry that would restrict our care for others to only those deemed acceptable by the institution.  Jesus fed and healed all people without distinction.  We who claim to be his followers can do no less.