There Is But One Path

The Easter celebration is the essence of Christian belief.

Modern day Christians may place too much emphasis on Christmas, which commemorates Jesus’ birth, over Easter and Christ’s Resurrection. It is the Resurrection that is central to Christian theology of hope and forgiveness. Mankind is reborn and saved by Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and his ultimate Ascension into Heaven.

How do people separate their beliefs from their politics? This has become another point of contention in our secular world. Trying to equate the two sometimes leads us toward a distortion of our faith which can be in direct conflict between the secular and our morality.

Throughout Judeo-Christian teachings, we are admonished to be charitable to others. In Deuteronomy 15:10 “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart;” to Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Charity to others is the most constant of refrains but it needs to be charity given freely without fanfare.

That is best illustrated in the Gospel of Matthew 6:2 “When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do–blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.”

We hear many Christians say that social welfare programs that are provided by the government to its citizens are bad policy since they are corrupting the moral fiber of the poor because they receive too much largess.