The Pursuit Of the Good

Gospel: Luke 6: 27-38

Modern Christianity has had a false belief for a long time that religion is about the pursuit of our own happiness and self-interest.  We are told to pursue the acquisition of graces and merit so that we might save our souls and achieve eternal happiness.  It is an entirely egoistic enterprise where we engage in our own enterprises.  Such a religion is attractive to a populace convinced since the Enlightenment that our own self-interest is all there is to consider.  The problem is that it does not conform to the Gospel message.

In today's Gospel portion Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, to forgive others, and to give generously to those in need.  There is no mention of rewards or merits or the like.  We are to do so for their own sakes, because it is the nature of the good to do so.  To love one's enemies is a direct affront to our notions of self-interest and ego.  The religion of Jesus is not about the pursuit of happiness.  It is the pursuit of the good for its own sake and for the sake of others.  

We can invent a whole host of theologies and practices and call them Christian, even though they are not.  We have been doing so for a long time.  These self-inventions make us feel good and conform to our false beliefs about self-interest and egoism.  Or we can follow the teaching and practice of Jesus in cultivating a life lived for the good, a life lived for others and their good.  In all things the way of Jesus is our model to follow in authentic Christian living.