"Whenever we find that our religious life is making us feel that we are good--above all, that we are better than someone else--I think we may be sure that we are being acted on, not by God but by the devil. The real test of being in the presence of God is, that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object. It is better to forget about yourself altogether."
--C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity
It is better to forget about yourself altogether; I agree, but I have a problem with this principle. It's not that I regularly, or routinely, or even occasionally feel or think myself better than another person. Rather it's the opposite. Too often I don't feel or think of myself as worthy of God's Love. Whether it is the Love of God or Love of Neighbor that feels more frequently elusive. It's safe to say I have only felt worthy of my mother's love because a mother has to love you.
In contrast to this quote religion doesn't make me feel more self-righteous or better than another person. Instead it makes me feel more comfortable with God. Religion, Prayer, Scripture, Liturgy, the Sacrament bring me to normal. They bring me to peace with my sin and make me equal with my Neighbor. Religion brings me to the possibility of loveability. Actually that's not true.
Intellectually and practically I am already lovable; religion makes me aware of my loveability.
It is so frustrating to me how misunderstood the purpose of religion is to others. "The opioid of the masses" is not to control, though it has been used that way by priests and parents alike.
Religion is supposed to be a vessel; it is the vessel we use to navigate ourselves through this temporal world. Religion is the method that we plot our course into the depths of God's character. His love, his mercy, his forgiveness, his holiness, our obedience. Religion is the pathway that God has given us in Christ to seek him.
A few months ago I saw a man standing at the highway intersection with a sign that stated, "Jesus loves you; Religion doesn't."
Of course "religion doesn't." Religion isn't suppose to love you. Religion is how you love God and your neighbor in return.
A few months ago I saw a man standing at the highway intersection with a sign that stated, "Jesus loves you; Religion doesn't."
Of course "religion doesn't." Religion isn't suppose to love you. Religion is how you love God and your neighbor in return.
