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By Oskar Wermter SJ
Maybe we should start by stating clearly what the Church is not for: it is not just a social club satisfying the need for togetherness and entertainment. It is not an “old boys/old girls network” useful for furthering one’s professional career. It is not just a burial society. Or a problem solver in crisis situations. Nor is it a forum where people share their own, very human thoughts about the meaning and purpose of life. All these various interests may find expression in the social life of the Church. But people may pursue such interests also elsewhere.
The Church is no human invention. The initiative lies with God. He is showing Himself. He reveals who He is in the history of His chosen people which culminates in Jesus Christ His Son and the community he gathered round Himself which eventually became the Church to hand on the knowledge of this divine self-revelation.
There are countless images ‘made by human hands’ meant to represent God. The prophets denounced them as idols and false gods. At times they made fun of them.
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CHURCH : business, social club, place for dating, or prophetic voice? |
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By Francisca Mandeya
After mass on Sunday there is a rush to the car park. Business is brisk as all sorts of foodstuffs and wares are sold from car boots, mouthwatering bundles of green vegetables, peanut butter, chickens, potatoes, sweet potatoes and so on. The church in this case provides a ready market for the products. In this era of economic hardships, some seize the opportunity to earn some income.
People talk about ‘going to church is good’ when people come to bury a colleague in their numbers and donations for food and transport are made. The Church is used as a place that facilitates the forming of groups which enable people to give each other decent Christian burials. While these groups are for spiritual growth the possibility of some finding in it a good burial society is there.
The Church is also a social club for some people. They get to mingle with others. Boys and girls may use it as a safe place to find decent
partners when they start thinking of settling down.
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