Not religious nor political but working through both

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary and the homily at Mass this morning can be placed together in a reflection on the place of Jesus and Christians today in the conflicts of religion and political activism. The Gospel of Matthew indicates that the Pharisees, the religious authorities had formed a plan to destroy Jesus. Today’s homily indicated that the account of this in Mark’s gospel indicated that the Herodians, the supporters of the political monarchy also sought the death of Jesus. It seems that both religious practice and civil practice were disturbed by the “rabbi” who did not follow the rules. The social action which is based primarily in political action and the worship which is based in religiosity are not recognized by Jesus. We need to be wary of giving our attention to these means. The psalmist reminds us of the deep concern of God for the poor (another translation: the afflicted). It is the concern that humanity finds in the indwelling Spirit that will bring the care of God to the people. This is the care of brother for brother and sister, of parent for child and grandchild. Our fidelity to love and our action to care is rooted in the movement of the indwelling Spirit to be intimate with the Creator. It is beyond religion and politics yet it may be evidenced at work in both these fields.