To Find Jesus, Take the Indirect Road

May 18, 2005 (By Jon Garrido) — I was raised a Roman Catholic and automatically with rote memory, if I say an Our Father, without thinking, without pause, I continue on with a Hail Mary. We have been conditioned to believe if we want to find God, we must pray continuously. Years of saying Rosaries leaves me empty and I think praying to God in this fashion, we automatically superficially pray without deep profound thought.

It is not only Catholics who fall into these practices. I am continuously amazed how some of my Protestant business acquaintances can recite verse after verse of scripture and yet are some of the most bigoted and prejudice people in our community. They too superficially pray reading the scriptures.

It is no small wonder we can not find Jesus on this supposedly straight road to Him. I believe Jesus taught the road to Him is not direct but through use of the "indirect road." 

I had an epiphany on May 18, 2000, when I realized Jesus does not advocate worship as much as he emphasized the road to the Father is through Him and the road to Jesus is through the Kingdom of God.

Jesus taught the Kingdom that matters is not in Heaven, but the one we find ourselves in now: sustaining and sanctifying life, in the here and now of home, family, community and society. The Kingdom of God is in the humble details of what you eat for breakfast and how you love your neighbor. This does not necessarily mean the family next door but rather people in other neighborhoods regardless of race, social class, skin color, religion, political affiliation, economic status or age.

Jesus preached the Kingdom of God is an egalitarian society that welcomes people of all races and social classes, that is characterized by love and not polarization, that cares most for its weakest members, that stands for justice and righteousness in a world enamored with selfishness and decadence. A society in which members compete for the privilege of serving one another - this is what Jesus meant by the Kingdom of God.

From the above definition, these clauses have the greatest significance: ....that cares most for its weakest members, that stands for justice and righteousness in a world enamored with selfishness and decadence...... 

The weakest members are the poor by all that we value as the most precious members of our society because their prayers to our Lord in thanksgiving, for the gifts we provide them, represent our key to Heaven: Our continuation of ourselves in fellowship with our Lord. Therefore, because they are dependent on others to nourish, sustain and educate them, the poor are the weakest members of our society and consequently, are the ones who need the most protection. As such, sins against the poor are the most vile acts against God. It is not only traditional "sins" but inadequate educational facilities, nourishment, child care, and support that if not provided, become our failures.

To alienate anyone, child or adult, is a direct alienation of the Holy Spirit who resides within us. For it was Jesus who said the Kingdom of God is within us, within our hearts and the Holy Spirit who resides in you is the same Holy Spirit who resides in everyone in the world. We are thus all connected to each other by the one Holy Spirit. 

In Jesus' vision and program, the Kingdom of God is always available and one enters it by a lifestyle of radical egalitarianism. Jesus himself does not announce its imminent actuality but its permanent possibility.

To serve your neighbor means living in an egalitarian society and not just in name only but as true committed members. This is how we glorify the Father and His son, Jesus.

To glorify the Father and Jesus one must serve the Kingdom of God and not just for one day. Serving the Kingdom of God is a lifestyle and the service you provide always brings you a gift in return. The people you serve will in turn pray for you in thanksgiving. The is the circle of salvation. This circle will complete itself and your salvation will be assured, not only by your acts, but the change in you from doing good. A dramatic change will be forthcoming in you and once done, one day when you are no longer searching, when you least expect it, the presence of Jesus will fill your senses, your heart and soul for on that day, the "in direct road" will become the true road to Jesus. Off in the distance, Jesus will be walking toward you to greet you into His Kingdom. 

The question for you today and every day of your life should be: what are you doing to serve your neighbor?