Are we authentic Christians?

Father Tony Chakkunga, VC
St. Pual's Roman Catholic Chruch

We live in a world of duplicity, where for everything we get duplicate things. Today it is difficult to identify original from duplicate. In this world people are able to produce, within 24 hours, the duplicate of any quality product that comes to market. Sometimes, we may buy duplicate items thinking that it is original. For a casual viewer, there will be little difference between the original and the duplicate. For example, instead of Sony they may use Sonny or Soni. Poor people may sometimes buy Sonny thinking that it is original Sony. But, in quality there is a great difference between original and duplicate product. In Gospel according to St. Mathew 7:15, Jesus asks us to take precaution against false prophets. As far as Christians are concerned, all of us participate in the prophetic function of Christ. So, in a way all of us are prophets. In the coming verses, Jesus says that from fruit we can identify original from duplicate. If fruit is good, tree is also good and if fruit is bad, tree also is bad. Jesus applies this simple logic to identify the original from the duplicate prophets. Here we need to stop and reflect about ourselves. As Christians, are we original or duplicate? Let us go deep into ourselves and reflect whether we live a life of Gospel values or not? Am I searching the will of God in everything I do? Usually we judge others and come to the conclusion that they are not living an authentic Christian life. We may notice so many mistakes in others; we may compare others with us and come to the false conclusion that we are far better than others. Before judging others, let us examine ourselves if we are worthy to be called Christians. Usually we think that we are original but very often our acts prove that we are only nominal or false Christians. What makes us Christians? We became original Christians when we start to live a life according to the values given in the Bible. Now let us make a close examination of our life and find out whether we are original or duplicate. Have we tried to keep the commandments of the Lord? An original Christian would try to keep the commandments of the Lord. Have I tried to keep all those commandments? Just reflect a while. “I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:1) “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord.” (Exodus 20:7) “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)...etc. How much attention do I give to observe these commandments of the Lord? Have I gone after some other gods especially at the moments of pain, loneliness, suffering and sickness fancying that the living God is feeble, weak, and very slow to help? If I have ever used the Holy name of the living God for wrongful purpose, then I am not worthy to be called as a Christian. How do I spend my time on Sundays? Do I sincerely observe the day of the Lord as a ‘Holy Day’? Then comes the fourth commandment: “Honour your parents.” (Exodus 20; 12) How do we treat our parents? Do you respect them? Just think about the love they bestowed upon us when we were children. Now it is our turn to give that love in return. If we consider them as a burden, we are on a wrong track. Again the Lord says, “You shall not murder.” Just think about the number of abortions that take place in the world. Countless children are brutally murdered in their own mothers’ womb. What is our attitude towards this cruelty? If I am not raising voice against it, in a way I am supporting this murder, and how can I be called a Christian. Just think about the other commandments, and make a good examination of our day-to-day life. Now, how many of us can say by placing our hands on heart that I am a Christian? Again, as we go through the Bible, we get so many other practical guidelines according to which we can easily identify an original Christian from duplicate. Let us examine ourselves and try our best to be the best authentic Christian in our day-to-day life.