Christianity is no soap opera. It is a call for each one of us to yield to a grace that transforms. We are not transformed by a dose of profound theological dogma, or by the intense studies of sociologists or the wisdom of philosophers.

Neither are we transformed through some kind of scientific theory or even, dare I say, religion itself. We are transformed as children of the same God by yielding to the spirit of the living Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being.

It is through this yielding that we come to draw and benefit from the endless studies of humanity and remarkable discoveries of science. It is by yielding that we let God’s healing grace permeate us through the blessed Eucharist.

The message of soap operas is that of a deceptive lifestyle

For what does it gain humanity, if notwithstanding all the knowledge and development of the art and sciences we are not transformed into new beings, healed from a world so immersed in hatred and sin, and liberated from a ‘death’ culture triggered by unrestrained consumerism and egocentric ambitions.

Our yielding opens the eyes of our heart to see what was already there but we failed to perceive. Our yielding liberates us from the ceaseless and persevering demands we place on ourselves, conditioned by a life culture that seeks immediate gratification and that exalts success without counting the cost. Our yielding is not to the historical Christ, but to Christ present here and now, amidst a world groaning in pain, amidst atrocities all across the globe.

We have eyes but do not see, or rather we see what best fits our sensual pleasures. We have ears but do not hear, or rather, ears that choose what to hear. But Christ calls us to “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23) and to “say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (Titus 2:12).

We are in an age of soap operas where many Christian households seem to be better acquainted with the exciting lurid stories of wretched lives, divorce, adultery and deceit rather than aware with the most basic of Christ’s teaching as reflected in Scripture.

Are we putting things that really matter at the mercy of low-value activities? The fruit of a guarded heart, a heart engulfed in a quest for liberating truth, is Christian love. In a recent homily, Pope Francis spoke of the meaning of Christian love, explaining that it is not a form of selfish romanticism, but rather something concrete that requires sacrifice and self-giving. It is not the love that is inspired through illusive soap operas, but a love grounded in concreteness and solidarity with the poor and oppressed.

In Pope Francis’ own words: “We are in God and God is in us – this is the Christian life – not to remain in the spirit of the world, in superficiality, in idolatry and vanity.”

The message of soap operas is that of a deceptive lifestyle; they deliver constant imagery of a way of life contrary to our spiritual quest, leading us to what the Pontiff calls “a Christianity of illusions”. We tend to underestimate the addictive and psychological power of soap operas which highlight pervasive immorality without counting the consequences, blurring the boundary of right and wrong and distorting our value system.

The Christian’s renewed transformed mind delights in filling the mind with the pure, positive things of God. “Whatever is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

If our heart is corrupt, we will be corrupt, even if we go through the motions of regular church attendance or the pretense of following Christ. As one pastor questioned: “What do we allow into our minds, which influence our thinking and has eternal consequences?”

The more we yield to divine transforming grace, sustained by reflection on the Word of God and the sacraments, the more we engage in a fulfilled authentic Christian life leading us to a heartfelt outcry: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25).

gordon@atomserve.net

Gordon Vassallo is an accredited spiritual guide at the Centre of Ignatian Spirituality.