Physician, Heal Thyself – #106

The great Bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine, posted on the lintel of the church of Numidia: “This is the door of the Lord; the righteous shall enter in.” However, he warned that the same crowds that press into the church during Christian festivals also fill theaters on pagan holidays. He lamented that while the church should be a foundation of Christian virtues, it is often undermined by worldly pursuits.

Kofi Kinaata, a popular music icon, expressed similar frustration in his song “Things Fall Apart“: – “Friday chapel, all night we are in the church… Then Saturday, we are in the club, doing all sorts of stuff. The same ship that brought the Bible was the same ship that brought schnapps and slavery. The same girls we see in the chapel are the same ones we meet in the club and pubs… The day God will come, if He doesn’t consider us, no one will go to heaven… It’s all about money now. We can hardly tell the difference between Christians and non-Christians…”

These two quotes from a “religious” and a “secular” perspective succinctly reveal a deep truth about human nature: we are all frail and need help. However, when we turn to our local churches in times of need, we often face icy stares, whispered gossip, segregation, and ex-communication instead of acceptance, encouragement, and spiritual support.

The church should be a spiritual hospital providing soul care, following the example of our Master. Instead, it has become a dangerous battle zone of pretension, prejudice, conformity, and exclusion. We must reclaim the church as a community of God’s people, forgiven by His mercy and grace, and caring for others in need.

Like St. Francis of Assisi said,

We have been called to heal wounds, unite what has fallen apart, and bring back home to God those who have lost their way.

The church, as the bride of Christ, must be a bright beacon in the dark recesses of our painfully shadowed world, a home for repentant sinners, and a shelter for those seeking truth.

Unfortunately, we are losing our bearings and commitment to biblical principles of forgiveness, Godly compassion, and mercy. We are becoming an epidemic of prejudice, judgmental attitudes, useless chatter, gossip, and hypocrisy. To find lasting freedom and spiritual healing, we must reclaim the church as a community of God’s people, forgiven by His mercy, grace, and caring for others.

As Luke 15:7 says, “I say unto you, that likewise, joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Even angels rejoice at the change of heart and repentance of one sinner.

I propose the following measures for the church to heal itself and restore others to life:

1. Recognize the church as a hospital for wounded souls, where people can find second chances and celebrate prodigals’ return.
2. Focus on diagnosing, treating, and healing rather than naming and shaming.
3. Embrace the mandate to bring every sinner back home to God (Luke 4:18-19).
4. Live according to biblical principles of forgiveness, Godly compassion, and mercy.
5. Reject prejudice, judgmental attitudes, gossip, and hypocrisy.

May God bless you and guide the church to become a beacon of hope and healing for all!

#MonkReflection                         
#PhysicianHealThyself ~ WATCH OUT FOR THE SEVENTH EDITION!