When I was in college, I took an introduction to world religion course. In the first days of the class, the professor emphasized that – to understand a religion – it was vital to look at what they do before looking at what they believe. Thus, rather than trying to understand Christianity as (say) “the believers of YHWH who believe He had a son who was slain on Earth 2,000 years ago, who act against a diametrically opposed entity named Lucifer,” it’s far more fruitful to look at how believers live and express their faith. For example, although Methodists and Catholics share many fundamental aspects of their core beliefs, their worship services are different. And even when a faith is 100% ideologically the same, expressions of that faith can vary greatly. For example, see the difference between a Catholic mass done in the traditional Latin format (as was standard pre-Vatican II) versus the peppier “teen mass” that often uses contemporary Catholic songs, electric guitars, and drums.
Zooming out a bit, our beliefs manifest (or at least they should) in our day-to-day activities . . . how we live the faith and express our ideals.
I was reminded of this as I reflected upon today’s readings. In the Gospel selection from Luke, two of John’s disciples ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
Notice what Christ’s reply is. He doesn’t simply say, “Yes, that’s me,” or deliver some esoteric proof based on a statement of faith or belief. Rather, he says, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
In other words, Jesus answers the question immediately with what he has done to demonstrate his divinity on Earth: healing, tending the sick, consoling the poor.
In the same way that Jesus knew the most effective way to affirm the questions of John’s disciples was to point to his deeds, so, too, do our actions proclaim our commitment to Christ. Our beliefs are important, of course, and they provide us with a spiritual anchor we can use to stay true amid the tumult of daily life. But our thoughts are not what spread the Word, awaken the flame within others, or fulfill Christ’s mandate to serve the world. It is when those thoughts are made manifest in actions that we are most likely to reach those who are not yet believers. (And “actions” can include active prayer . . . especially when coupled with concrete deeds!)
As the 1968 hymn goes, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” But, in many cases, love is not a feeling as much as an action. I show my wife I love her by doing things for her and with her. I express my love for God through a smile and a kind word to those in need, through volunteering for ministries and initiatives, through donating money and blood.
During this time of Advent, it’s a good time to strengthen our thoughts and beliefs as we prepare for the birth of the Savior. But it’s also a great time to express those beliefs as action.
Consider making cards for those in a retirement community, and delivering them in person. Or volunteering to help with a holiday event at a children’s hospital. Or cutting back on something you enjoy to free up more room in your budget to give to those less fortunate. You can deliver the Christmas miracle for someone else in need, but miracles are more than thoughts or words; they’re concrete occurrences which you can help make happen. They’ll know we are Christians by our love; let that love overflow this season so that all who observe you can’t help but know you are part of the Body of Christ.
Today’s readings: IS 45:6C-8,18,21C-25; PS 85:9AB and 10,11-12,13-14; Lk 7:18B-23
