The Work of Religion

Gospel: Matthew 21: 28-32

Jesus poses the question of which son did what their father wanted.  It was not the son who said that he would but then did not.  It was the son who said that he would not, but then regretted it and did what was asked of him.  We might very well ask the question of what it is that is asked of the two sons.  What, in fact, is the will of God that we are asked to do in our lives?  What is the fundamental and primary work of religion in the world?

To a foreign observer the answer to that would be attendance at church services and the giving of money to the church.  That is what most of religion consists of.  Yet a reading of the Gospels does not lead us to those conclusions at all.  To do the will of God is to do the works of mercy as Jesus did.  It is to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, to heal the sick, to free people from their demons, to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, and welcome the stranger and alien.  

Attending church may help us accomplish these fundamental tasks, but attendance at church itself is not the fundamental task.  Attending church should encourage and support us in this work of mercy that is our fundamental task.  But very often it is akin to the son who gives lip service to the father but does not do what his father asks.  May Advent continue to remind us of the primary work of religion and inspire us in that work each day.