Why did the Son of God, Jesus Christ, take human form, live on earth, and accept a cruel and tortuous death? What was His primary purpose? Was His goal any of the following? 

• To end poverty  – No, He even suggested that man should embrace poverty.
• To end wars – No, He indicated there would be wars in the future. (Not once did Jesus mention that the ending of war was his main goal, though His teachings clearly indicate that respect for all human life was necessary for His followers.)
• To create an equality of the sexes – No, though He considered men and women to be equal before God.
• To eliminate slavery – No, though He considered all humans to be equal in stature before God.
• To end all suffering – No!!! He provided an example of a meaningful way to manage suffering.

 Then what was his purpose for living and dying on earth, for humbling Himself to the extent of suffering death on the Cross? The answer is simple and clear. Jesus Christ offered Himself on the Cross to save mankind from its sins – to be mankind’s savior, to open the gates of eternal salvation. Secondly, he taught man about Himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, enabling man to better understand exactly who God is and what God expects of man. Thirdly, he provided man with a Church that possessed the instruments (the Sacraments) that would help man in pursuing and preserving his relationship with God. Finally He promised to protect and be with His Church until the end of time.

 Assuming the above is true, then, I have one question. Why do so many of the clergy of all religions, particularly the high ranking clergy, and key segments of the laity spend so little time  trying to help save individual souls, while dedicating so much time on political, economic, and social issues? Do they really think that if all the social justice issues were resolved that more souls would be saved?? Is God really their first consideration? Is the salvation of souls their primary goal? Christ suffered and died for the salvation of souls. Shouldn’t that be the primary focus of all religious efforts?

 Certainly some of the demands for social justice are legitimate, though secondary, concerns for religion. However, for many religious leaders and a significant part of the laity, a vaguely defined concept of social justice has become the overriding purpose of religion. Souls be damned….and they might be if they follow the secular goals of their “religious” leaders.