Beginning of a new era

W T A Leslie Fernando

The birth of Christ in a cattleshed about 2000 years ago was the beginning of a new era in society. In fact the history of mankind is divided into two period, the period before Christ (BC) and the period after Christ (AD). The teachings of Christ have had a tremendous impact not only on the Christians but also on the whole of mankind.

Man at that time had lost the true sense of values. His goal was to get maximum satisfaction of life on this earth. Christ rejected this mentality and attacked the disease at its roots. He asked what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul (Matthew 17/16)?

Christ on the other hand upheld the values undermined by the world. In the Sermon of the Mount Christ preached "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs' is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5/34,35).

Christ's was a message of love. "Thou shall love thy God with thine whole heart and thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and Prophets said Christ (Mathew 22, 37, 38. He was willing to override the Law of Moses in the scriptures and their authoritative interpretations in the name of love.

Christ taught love as the proper response even to ones' enemies. Christ said you have heard that it was said 'Love the neighbour and hate thine enemy. But I say to you. Love thy enemies. Do good to them that hurt you. And pray for them that persecute you." (Matthew 6/43,44).

It was an age where people sought after splendour, glory and price of place. Even among the disciples of Christ there was a dispute as to who should be their greatest. Christ preached humility and practised what he preached. Christ the King of Kings was born poor and humble in a Cattleshed, in Bethlehem. He chose his disciples not from the princes or the nobility nor from the patrician classes or the rich but from fisherfolk and underprivileged tax collectors, a despised class and publicans, the outcasts.

In his ministry Christ went from place to place saying foxes have holes. Birds in the air, have their nests. But the Son of Man has no place lay his head".

Christ disregarded tradition that stood on the way of human progress. He was eager to see human need take precedence over tradition.

When his disciples were plucking corn on a Sabbath day and when the Pharisees question him about it Christ replied "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 11/27).

Christ accepted fundamentally the equality of all mankind. He discarded racial, class and caste barriers. No one was to be above another before God because of one's power position, wealth or caste. In an age where racial, class and caste differences were predominant in society this indeed was a revolutionary step.

Christ saw no difference between the Jews and gentiles. He moved freely with the rejected, the dispised and the helpless. The woman of Samaria was astonished and shocked when Jesus asked some water from her to drink because they were treated as untouchables by the Jews.

The priesthood at that time was an attractive profession. The clergy led a luxurious life. The church premises was a place of money transaction and trade.

Christ in his Apostolic College formed a different, order. They were not confined to the temples, but were to go to distant lands undergoing difficulties to spread the message of God.

The axis of the earlier law was retribution. Christ denounced revenge and preached forgiveness. He said you have 'An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you "If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn him the other also." (Matthew 19/38).

It was a time that adultery and divorce were far from rare. Moses in the ancient law allowed to give a divorce in writing and put away one's wife. Christ advocated and insisted on monogamy. And he disallowed divorce saying. "What God had joined together let no man put it asunder" (Matthew 19/17).

The position of the woman was miserable. Adulterous women were put to death by stoning. But the same treatment was not given to adulterous men. Nevertheless in palaces and castles the woman was a tool in the hand of the powerful and the rich.

Once they brought before Jesus a woman who had committed adultery and said "This woman was caught in the act of adultery," Moses had commanded that such should be put to death by stoning. But what do you say. There was no one left to stone her when Jesus replied then "Those among you who have no sin, let him first cast the stone at her". (John 8/4.5).

Thus Christ brought about a social revolution. He protested against the existing order with its decadent ideas, false values outdated laws and outmoded systems. He deplored tradition that stood in the way of human upliftment. He denounced evil and wickedness that seemed to dominate the world. He gave a new concept to mankind that had love, equality and fraternity as its axis. A new era dawned with such a concept as moving far with the possibility of full flowering of humanity under the Fatherhood of God.

On the other hand Christ never wanted to do away with the Roman empire and set up a kingdom of God in this world. Christianity is primarily a doctrine of salvation and not a political philosophy. Christ was accused by the Chief Priests, Pharisees and Scribes that he wanted to set up his own kingdom and stirred up people against the Roman Empire. When before the Judgment Pilate asked "Christ" Are You the King of Jews? Christ replied "My kingdom is not of this world."

The teachings of Christ had far-reaching effects on humanity in the subsequent ages. The Apostles and the early Christians adhered to the teachings of Christ, the love of God and the love for the neighbour to the letter. They shared their income within the community and led simple and serene lives. The Popes, priests, servants and slaves all lived together in catacombes in fraternity.

The call of Christ to the workers and heavily burdened brought hope to the toiling masses all over the world. The rulers feared Christianity as it preached liberty and equality, and they began to persecute the Christians. But the more they persecuted the Christians more Christianity spread.

This situation changed in the 4th century, when the Roman Empire embraced Christianity. The rulers and the rich came to terms with Church and donated lands wealth and privileges to the Church. Subsequently the Church became an affluent institution retarding the progress of humanity.

In some countries those who disagreed with the Church were burnt alive by the inquisition. The scientists like Galileo and Bruno who came into conflict with the Church were persecuted and even put to death. The Church backed the Crusades to convert people to Christianity by force.

Even today the ecclesiastical pomp and ceremony, glamour and majesty seem to be incompatible with the teachings of Christ the simple Galilean.

However within the Church itself there arose religious congregation and orders that adhered to the values and principles laid down by Christ. By their community life and service they depict the lives of the early Christians. Some of these orders engage in missionary work linked with service to spread the message of God.

The missionaries spread teachings of Christ all throughout the world. They preached the Gospel and in some parts of the world penetrated the jungles to educate and civilize the inhabitants.

Various orders of Nuns who have taken the vows of Poverty, Chastity and obedience devote their lives for the sick the disabled and the destitute.

The monastery became a centre of learning in the West and a great impetus was given to education by the monks. The missionaries in the East promoted the study or Oriental languages while looking after the spiritual welfare of their flock.

Purity and sanctity of marriage is emphasised thorughout the Christian world. Many communities accept the Christian concept of monogamous marriage. Many societies discourage divorce and though not strictly prohibited among Catholics, is allowed on unavoidable circumstances on limited grounds.

Reformation and not retribution is the principle behind many legal system and this shows the influence of forgiveness in Christianity. There is regard and respect for the woman throughout the Christian world. Both men and women are created by God to share His Kingdom.

The teachings of Christ had their impact in the past have their effect in the present and will influence the future. "I am the light of the world" said Christ. He that follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life".

The writer is a former High Court Judge