Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” Mark, ch.7

organized religion gets a pretty bum rap most of the time, and often for good reason.

in recent survey’s, both local and national, a majority of un- or post-churched respondents rate religion low on account of what they perceive as Christian ‘hypocrisy’ — that is, a noticeable difference in what one proclaims in word and practices in deed.

it often looks to ‘outsiders’ as if Christian folks have simply set up a system of practices to keep their world’s at bay — both interior and exterior.  our practical moralism looks like an attempt to keep the real world at arms length — and our high piety looks like an attempt to ward off the demons within.  but what these ‘outsiders’ seem to be looking for — and not often finding in ‘church’ — is a faith that makes a difference for the whole person.

the good news is that this disparity between our inner and outer lives is both universal and timeless.  we know all-to-well stories of ones inner demons making an untimely appearance in times of stress — breaking through our brilliant veneer to reveal the storm within.

that’s the stuff Jesus wants us to work on — the big stuff.  not whether or not we cross ourselves the right way or use the right kind of bread in worship or dress nice on sundays or party too much on saturdays.  jesus knows that if we tend to the life within, then all our expressions of faithful living will be good and acceptable.

as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.  let’s make sure, instead, that your road is paved with God’s intentions planted deep within those dark, scary places we so often try to avoid.