ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 21, 2025
George Bernanos was a French author who was very much shaped by his experience in WWI. He wrote, “The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.” Not only would I agree, but what I see happen in so many settings, from business to government to religion itself, is that the end is like moving goalposts. You can continue to justify the end using whatever method you wish when the goal changes at every turn. At the beginning of 1 Timothy, the author is referencing the importance of good teaching, and we read, “…the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith” (1:5). The goal is love, and among the means to that goal are the things of love, like a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. If it changes to something other than love, at least for those of us who claim to follow Jesus, then I believe we are on the wrong track.
Keep my eyes upon the prize, O Sacred Vision. May love be both the goal and the means by which we see that goal realized. Amen.
