Christ's 'broken home' in modern culture

I read the article Christ's Teachings Not Reflected In Modern Culture - Bishops (November 28). The pastoral letter of Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech made a very good comment that an individual person has to seek and find in his own heart the means of following Jesus. I especially liked their phrase: "Only then can we call ourselves Christian in today's culture". In my estimation, down through the centuries there have been too many man-made mechanisations of methods, modes and manners of religious worship.

Many Christians say they are "on the road to Heaven", but they are too busy quibbling here on earth as to which brand of car (religious denomination) they think will get them to Heaven. I don't get shook-up if I hear a good prayer that begins and ends solely with references to God as "Heavenly Father" or "Creator of the Universe" (or similar reverent references). I am still a Christian, and still a Catholic, and I can mentally visualise Jesus Christ in my heart without hearing His name spoken from somebody else's lips.

I believe that Jesus Christ would view modern culture similar to a "broken home". For centuries the only church was the Universal (or Catholic) Church. Then came the schism in the year 1054, leaving the Orthodox Catholic churches in the east and the Roman Catholic churches in the west. Those two old denominations hold a large share of the inherited customs (comparable to inherited furniture) of the early Apostles. The Lutheran and Anglican churches are essentially "children" (offshoots) of the Roman Catholic Church. The Methodist Church is essentially a "grandchild", being a spin-off from the Anglican. Other more modern churches latch onto a few inherited principles (comparable to great-grandchildren grabbing an inherited tool from a toolbox). All of this brokenness and selfishness has prompted too little "togetherness".

Perhaps they need be inspired to do a logical reality-check on their lives and their practices: If you can't envision St Peter or St Paul joining-in... can you be certain that this is valid or appropriate?

I have tried to seek authentic elements of scriptural foundations which were once intact before our religious House of God became a broken home with artefacts being handed down the generations. Parroting rigid dogma to an unwilling ear is useless. But, practising and defending good principles in a courteous manner will win over more listeners and ultimately be seen as worthwhile in the eyes the Lord.

We may proclaim in a loud voice that we are "saved" - but that is useless and in vain unless we are truly sincere in our hearts. Religion is defined as man's relationship with Almighty God. Christianity is defined as being a follower of the specific teachings of Jesus Christ. We should remember what St Peter said to Jesus: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here..." (Mark 9:5). Our task in the modern world is to live uprightly and be good Christians for our own sake - instead of just wearing the label on our sleeve for others to see.