Lost in translation

Very few people would contend that the teaching that Jesus of Nazareth promulgated throughout his lifetime, his chief legacy, poses a threat to human civilization, or that its influence is somehow detrimental to our communities. 

On the contrary, the words he spoke, later to be recorded by eyewitnesses, are widely regarded and treasured as foundational in terms of helping to preserve civility, compassion and peace in our households and nations. But why is it then that churches and denominations are currently being reviled and scoffed at, and why are religious leaders inundated by scathing criticisms in the media? 

One possible answer is the tragic fact that the ideals and sublime truths spoken by Christ at some point in the distant past have been lost in translation: we, his followers, have failed, sometimes abysmally, to live up to both the words and examples that were impeccably joined in a life no one has fully been able to emulate.

ABUSING THE LEAST OF THESE

The scandal that has been rocking the Catholic Church recently, is, sadly, not the only case where the beauty of the Gospel message is being mocked, spat at, by the very people commissioned to spread it to the ends of the earth. Sexually abusing the 'least of these', children placed in our protection, represents a heart-wrenching treachery. Instead of maintaining their responsibility as mentors and care-givers, the abusers have succumbed to the most depraved and lethal of impulses: these children were perversely treated as a means by which selfish gratification could be achieved.

It matters very little that some of these priests may have been wolves in sheep's clothing, fakers pretending to be adherents of Christ. The damage has been done. It may not be irreparable, but for months to come people will still lambast and ridicule the community of believers for their failures to live up to their own ideals. The walk has killed the talk. The dirt and the smear have blotted out the dim light. Credibility is down as hypocrisy has spiralled.

The Roman Catholic Church isn't the only one in need of a thorough clean-up. Pedophiles and various other sinners still hide among the purported white innocent sheep, now, lamentably, appearing more spotted than ever.

.