Walking, Not Talking

Gospel: Luke 6: 43-49

A religion that began as a religion of the Word has over time becomes the religion of the words.  From creedal statements to elaborate wrote prayers to an endless profusion of hymns that all evoke lovely thoughts and feelings.  Add to that the endless theological tomes and endless words of apologetic and we have a vast array of words that, in the end, are just fancy ways of saying "Lord, Lord" without ever actually doing the work of Jesus.

After all, it is much easier to conduct Bible studies and prayer services than to sit with a dying person and their family members.  It is much easier to write a sermon or plan a liturgical service than it is to visit the imprisoned.  It is much easier to write books than it is to walk with the person struggling with addiction or being with an immigrant family living with constant fear in a hostile country that claims to be Christian but is ruled by cruelty.  

Jesus never wrote a book, nor plan a liturgical service.  Jesus spent the bulk of his time being with those who were sick and dying, providing comfort and healing.  He went out to those gripped by demons of all kinds and helped people become free of those demons.  He sat at table with all sorts of outcasts and his enemies, providing nourishment of body and soul.  That is the religion of the Word.  It is far more authentic than the religion of words.