There was a time, not so long ago, when you could walk into a church and feel the brush of angel wings against your shoulder. Today, more often than not, you’re lucky if you don’t feel the shove of a Bishop elbowing you aside as he clambers to hang onto his chair a little longer!

I look around in India today and wonder: when did we trade robes of humility for crowns of entitlement? Methodist Bishops extending their retirement ages — as if the Lord Himself needed their exclusive, irreplaceable services — land grabs by the former Anglicans that would put seasoned realtors to shame, Catholic priests, who instead of being shepherds protecting their lambs, especially the little ones, prey on their bodies, and minds. And other small denomination pastors who think ‘servant leadership’ simply means bossing underpaid juniors while their churches rot under the weight of their ego. Not forgetting ageing heads of religious NGOs who not only refuse to retire when old and senile, but forcefully put down talented leadership!

The sheep, the faithful, the people like you and me — we stare, horrified, clutching our Bibles a little tighter, and wonder, “Why doesn’t God just swoop down and settle matters with a good old-fashioned lightning bolt?”

Well, before you throw your hymn book in frustration, let me tell you a little story. It’s from Acts, chapter five. Ananias and Sapphira, a husband-wife duo, strutted into the early Christian community, wearing holy smiles and pockets lined with secret silver. Everyone was selling their land and giving the money to the apostles for the common good — a divine version of communal living. Ananias and Sapphira, eyeing the benefits but loath to part with all their cash, sold their property, kept a little ‘for a rainy day’, and lied about it. They didn’t get a slap on the wrist. They didn’t get a warning letter. No sir! They dropped dead. Right there. No trial. No tribunal. No appeal. Just — thud!

Which brings me to my point: judgement doesn’t always come wrapped in thunder and brimstone. Sometimes it comes wrapped in a hollow, empty life.

Look closely at those so-called ‘successful’ frauds and cheats within the church. Their posh cars may gleam under the sun, but their souls sit rusted in the dark. Their laughter sounds loud, but lacks the music of true joy. Their nights are heavy with unease; their friendships are transactional; their prayers — if they dare to still pray — bounce off a ceiling that has long since closed against them.

No, they don’t have to wait for Judgement Day. They’ve already been judged and living in hell.

Meanwhile, you, with your modest bank account and your earnest prayers, your stumbles and your repentance, your honest attempts at kindness — you are richer by far. You sleep well. You laugh deeply. You know how to kneel, not in fear, but in gratitude.

Have you thought all this while, that God’s sitting silent? Hardly. He’s just letting them marinate in their own unholy mess.

So, the next time you hear of a scandal, a betrayal, a shameful headline or email involving yet another “man of God,” don’t lose heart. And don’t lose faith. God’s not blind. He’s not deaf. He’s just patient — and believe you me, His punishment has already arrived.

No, my dear friends, you don’t have to wait till the trumpets sound and the skies split open. These souls are already living their private Judgement Days, even if they pretend they’re not..!

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