It was Thomas Aquinas, the great theologian of the Roman Catholic tradition, who once reflected that people are motivated not by pain but by pleasure.

Such an insight, obvious as it may sound to us, has been largely ignored by the church.

For far too long, our religious doctrine has been shaped by fear and guilt. The underlying presumption of a God who damns and destroys is evident throughout our religious history. Sometimes it is blatant and ridiculous as witnessed in the TV evangelists and their ilk. But far more often this sinister God is suggested in more subtle ways.

Every time we even hint that because we believe this or that we are entitled to a little more of God’s love, we proclaim a God not of unconditional love but of unconscionable ruthlessness. Every time we suggest that only certain people are deserving of the everlasting joy of Christ, we buy into an ugly theology that has no right to call itself Christian.

My continuing interest in proclaiming that salvation can be ours in the here and now as well as in the not yet, is grounded in my utter conviction that living out a life of love and grace brings us into the Kingdom of Heaven. And such an experience has nothing to do with whether we accept this religion or that, but everything to do with whether we follow Jesus. By following, I mean enjoying the fruits of the abundant life that he lived.

Loving our enemies, forgiving those who wrong us, reaching out to those on the outside... this is the Kingdom of Heaven and it is ours for the following.