we live in wonderful and foolish times

We live in wonderful, and foolish times.

The philosopher Don Cupitt once said that, compared to past ages, we live like gods, unimaginably rich, enjoying undreamed of comforts like – rain proof clothing, cooking pots, heated houses, antibiotics and vaccinations. Two hundred years ago, one person in ten suffered syphilis, many people had TB, with more than one in five deaths at times in parts of Europe. Today, the highest risks are suicide and road crashes, for the young, and cancers or heart disease for older people. Lifestyle choices greatly improve our health, as we know. We will be far healthier and happier today by the simple means of treating depression, driving more safely, avoiding overweight and smoking or alcohol excess.

The good news is that the possibilities of well being are greater to day because of modern knowledge. But too bad, many people ignore all this, or find they cannot live a disciplined life. The evidence is clear that people who keep a strong spiritual life, of prayer and personal discipline, will be happier, live better, be more successful in their life, and will make valuable contributions to their families and community. The new serious diseases now are substance abuse, risky lifestyle, and living as if there is no tomorrow. So why do people live as they live? Why do many people live as if there is no God? Perhaps it is that they misunderstand the message of Jesus. How could this be?

Luke 15: the story most famous in all literature.

It is such a good story it is usually forgotten why Jesus told it. Partly he was thinking of the lost sinners who need to repent, but much more than that, he was thinking of the powerful love of God for all people. But that still misses an important point. This story was told to the religious people who felt very pained that Jesus was mixing freely with all kinds of people, including the worst behaved, the social outcasts and pretentious do-gooders alike. It is best seen as a story for all of us, who need to think deeply about our own spiritual life. There are so many ways in which God shows his love and goodness in the world, and so many ways of ignoring it. A healthy spiritual life includes an attitude of great humility, but also great courage to stand up for oneself and for others. Jesus saw the wrong in injustice (the Good Samaritan) idolatry (the rich young man) and the greatness of living and dying for others (“greater love has no man than …to lay down his life.”)

It is easier to stand in judgment of others than to put one’s own life in order. But there are some times when we will need to do both. The Lost Son at least saw he had to make a change, even if his first motive was to avoid starvation amongst the pigs