Have Christians become Pharisees?

The central concept at the heart of the Christian religion—in theory, at least—is this: kindness matters more than rules. Jesus demonstrated that concept in many of the teachings and his actions.

Sadly, one doesn’t have to look too far or too hard to find plenty of self-professed Christians who believe rules—THEIR rules—matter more than anything else…and certainly matter more than a woke concept such as kindness.

Like the biblically-disparaged Pharisees, value seems to lie in public professions of faith and in judging the actions of others. So much judging—and so little ‘doing unto others as we might done to us’ or our loved ones.

How does one know if one has strayed away from what one hopes to believe and into the preaching of a false prophet?

I believe the answer can be found in our hearts. We may be able to lie to the world and even to ourselves, but if we listen to our hearts, they try to tell us truth.

Our hearts want to be at peace. They want to feel gratitude. Calm. Generosity. Kindness.

It’s the core message at the center of every faith in the world.

I have a little message that greets me every time I come into our home. It invites all of us to not look outward and judge, but to look inward and start the healing there.

World peace starts in my heart, says the little message in the frame. Just that.

I wish health, happiness, love, and peace of heart to you and yours this season of winter, whatever you call it: midwinter, Christmas, Jul, Hanukkah, solstice. Be kind to one another.

(originally published 12/15/20)