I wanted to start off by sharing an observation that was offered by Aristides, who was a Greek Pagan Philosopher from the 2nd century. At the time that this was written, there was an awful persecution of Christians taking place under Emperor Hadrian. Aristides wrote this apology (defense) for the Christians, and why they shouldn’t be exterminated as they were. What makes this apology so interesting for us is it gives us a window into what outsiders thought of Christians living just a century after Christ walked the earth. This is what they saw:
“Christians love one another. They never fail to help widows. They save orphans from those who would hurt them. If a Christian person has something, he gives to a person who has nothing. If they see a stranger, Christians invite them to come into their home and consider them a brother or a sister. If they see someone who is ill or someone who is in prison, they go visit them. If they hear that one of them is in great tribulation, they will give that person all that he or she needs. These Christians are a new kind of people. They seem to be filled with the Spirit of God!”
If Aristides were to examine our individual lives today, would he recognize us as Christ following Christians? Or would he say that we are like everyone else in the world…living by another creed and following after a new kind of religion.
There is a repulsive religion that has swept over the world…one that is even older than Christianity itself. It is one that all of us, by virtue of our baptism and chrismation into the Holy Orthodox Church, have sworn to leave behind! Yet on an almost daily basis, we tend to look back and to follow after it’s teachings and rituals! It is called the “religion of self.”
Religion of self can best be described as the “Me, Myself, and I” faith. It’s where I take priority over everyone else in the world…where I put my trust in no one else…and rely not on God, but on myself.
In the Gospel text for the second Sunday of Luke, if we find ourselves card carrying members of the “religion of self”, we hear something come out of our Lord’s mouth that is completely outrageous! He says:
“Love your enemies, do good, and lend hoping for nothing in return! Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the most-high…for He is kind to the unthankful and evil! Be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful.”
This is completely backwards from what the religion of self, which acts as a dark plague that has swept over the world since it’s creation! We want proof? Look at what is happening in the multiple wars we have today! What is the message? Strike a preemptive blow against your opponent! Show them who is boss!” The “religion of self” tells them!
“Love your enemies…and when they strike you, turn the other cheek” Christ says.
Loving your enemies. This message that our Lord wanted to convey was not just empty words. He went on to show the entire world what example we should follow by His actions on the cross! Beaten, tortured, and humiliated, our Lord hung in the air crucified and suffering. In his final words, He didn’t command the heavenly hosts to come down and avenge Him. Instead, He looked up into the sky to the Father and out of Love for His creation, He said: “Father, forgive them…for they know not what they do.”
“What is in it for me?” The “religion of self” teaches us. How can I benefit from whatever it is that I am doing in this world?
“Lend…GIVE…hoping for nothing in return.” says our Lord. He humbled Himself to become man for us. He comforted those who needed comforting. He healed diseases. He resurrected the dead. He lived for us. He died for us. Christ gave us His precious body and blood…He gave us His life, that we might have life more abundantly…A gift that He knew humanity would never be able to repay.
“Get ahead in life…put yourself first in all things.”…perhaps this is the ultimate doctrinal statement…the “creed” of the religion of self.
“The last will be first, and the first will be last.”…our Lord said.
This gospel text, which our Lord taught us not only by words, but by His example, is what separates Christians from the rest of the world. It is what helps us to overcome the “religion of self”, which only leads people to destruction. It is what sets us apart as beacons of Christ’s ever-saving light from the rest of the world, who as St. Paul says a little earlier in Corinthians, have “put a veil” on the Gospel and on this light.
When those in the world look at us, what do they see? Do they see ardent followers of the religion of self? Or do they see faithful followers of Christ, Who permeates our existence at baptism, and makes the impossible things we heard in the Gospel today…not only possible, but life changing.