As many know, Christianity is having a tough time in the new century. 80% of the problem began when Alexander made Christianity a function of government during his reign as Emperor of Rome. This political relationship was common back then and can trace its political roots back to the Sumerians long before Jesus was born.

The faith that Jesus promoted had nothing to do with politics, economics or power. His faith was based on a two-way relationship between a universal power driven by love and an individual practicing the ramifications of that power. Jesus prophesied at a time when Roman domination had destroyed the local economy and stripped individuals of any inalienable rights. Jesus was offering salvation (aka survival) through sharing not only of food and physical needs but also through a belief that compassion was the secret to well being under any circumstance.

To prevent excessive sermonizing, only one guideline will be reviewed: the second great commandment: You will do to others as you would have them do to you. Pure compassion! Don’t need church buildings or billionaire preachers; don’t need budgets local or regional. Just compassion.

A few days ago, a stranger saw mariner trying to lift a heavy box. He stopped his car and came to help mariner. The box was quite heavy but the stranger took on the box by himself – despite wearing a knee brace on both knees. He carried the box all the way to the front door. It was a Christian act, that is, it was compassionate. He considered mariner’s plight more important than continuing to drive down the street.

Mariner doesn’t know if the stranger goes to church or not. It doesn’t matter. For the moment, he was a Christian. Reader’s home assignment: Luke 10:25-37.

It is too bad that churchgoers have lost the meaning of faith by making buildings more important than compassion, by making allegiance more important than giving. The compassionate gesture experienced the other day sustained physical and spiritual survival for both participants.

Faith without compassion is being a lost sheep.

Ancient Mariner