What Matters

First Reading: Proverbs 21: 1-6, 10-13   Gospel: Luke 8: 19-21

Today's readings dispel two very popular false beliefs in religion.  The first is the idea that our sacrifices and liturgical performances are the most important things in the spiritual life - that these are the key to salvation.  The first reading reminds us that it is doing good, being merciful and loving to the poor and needy is what matters most in the life of religion.  Our sacrifices and liturgies only matter if they help a person to do good and show mercy to others.

The second false idea is that lineage back to Jesus, either through blood lines or some unbroken tradition, is what matters in our salvation.  Jesus rejects this idea, stating quite plainly that what matters is doing the will of God - performing the deeds of mercy and loving kindness toward others - is what matters in life.  These blood ties and apostolicity only prove ancestry.  They say nothing at all as to whether you are a good person or not.  

A great many people who put their trust in liturgical finery and tracing links back to Jesus malign the poor and marginalized, create large numbers of migrants and refugees that they then spurn and reject.  So many who talk of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist deny his presence in other human beings.  The primary presence of God on earth and God's primary temple is in every human being.  To show mercy and loving kindness to others is the authentic liturgy and worship of God in the world.