REL

There is quite the community built around the pickup time for the parents of elementary school children.  Ten minute relationships developed every day over the school year.  A few months ago, one of D's (our kindergartner) classmates grandparents mourned that her son and grandson were not involved in a church community.  She said her son didn't find any need for organized religion.  I immediately responded to her 'well he should try coming to my church, it's unorganized.'  As a college student, REL was a listing in my curriculum for different levels of our Religious Studies classes.  I have come to find some value in the abbreviation REL but not for RELigion, for RELationships.  It turns out this woman has the same concern for her son as I do but for different reasons.  He and I have lots in common.  A spirited texting conversation early one morning led to lunch and then an amateur lesson in brewing.  

Jesus knew this well as he attempted to share the focus on relationship over religion. 

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”Matthew 9:10-13

Jesus is not concerned with keeping the organization going.  He is concerned for Matthew and others who he might share the life of God through relationship.  The Pharisees miss the point of their own practices.  Jesus wants them to learn the meaning of showing mercy not offering sacrifices.  The organization of religion might at some point understood and even practiced showing mercy, but from the standpoint of my friend, organized religion is far too interested in offering sacrifices.  I have a lot of Matthew's, people who feel excluded or not interested in REL as it pertains to RELigion, but certainly have an interest in RELationships. And rediscovering this as part of my calling might be a shift change the Pharisees had no interest but moves me deeply.  But this sunday morning I am off to learn the meaning of showing mercy with a bunch of other faithful disciples attempting to learn that same meaning.