FACING UP To that dirty word

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 1, 3 June 1987, Page 5

FACING UP To that dirty word

In my last contribution I referred to the need to adopt a certain standard of conduct to live in society. The Roper Report set some. God also set some many centuries ago, namely the Ten Commandments. They have survived even though many do not know them nor accept them. Perhaps this is because they are connected with 'religion' and many people do not understand what the word 'religion' means. For many the word 'religion' is a dirty word, like the word politics. These two words are often tabu in conversation and if you don't mention them you are acceptable. I think the reason people avoid the word religion is that they don't want to accept the consequences or the challenges it charges them with. The word 'religion' defines or sets out our

relationship with God. By it we acknowledge God as our Creator and because of that we recognise and accept that God has rights over us and that we have obligations toward him. In the business world a contract is based on offer and acceptance. If we accept an offer, then the contract is signed and sealed. Each party has to fulfill their obligations. Failure to do so is a breach of contract. It is the same with God. God makes us an offer of everlasting life with certain conditions attached. We are not forced to accept his offer but if we do we must accept all his conditions. It is when we accept his offer that we begin our relationship, or if you prefer, our friendship with God. That is what the word religion means. Many mistakenly think that taking part in religious ceremonies and

practices is the essence of religion, whereas it is only part of it. Such activity is the external manifestation, or giving witness to, what a person believes in and follows on from their relationship with God. This activity is important because it brings together those of like beliefs in a spirit of community, of support, and in times of stress or trouble, of comfort and consolation. Hence bringing forth the social aspect of religion. Religion is not a dirty word - it is a misunderstood one. Religion, correctly under-stood, is a person's re-lationship with God. The work of a church is to foster and develop that relationship by informing and instructing people about the message God sent to earth through his son, Jesus Christ.

Fr.

Phil McCormack

S.M.