The Bigger Picture: I was raised with the eccentric idea that you needn't belong to a group to appreciate or embody the insight they may offer. With this in mind, I wish to feel free to enjoy and celebrate the ideas of Jesus.
I realise this is not a simple task. First, I am an outsider to Catholicism/Christianity. And so, not only will I invariably present a different perspective from those raised within it, but I will also lack their in-depth knowledge and instead be able to only offer my impressions. No doubt, for those who feel the ideas of Jesus should be safeguarded and not commented on by others, I am presenting a difficulty.
To further complicate things, I also live in a State that identifies itself with this religion. Thus, those who do not care for my reflections may also feel they carry credibility in arguing for my silence. Still, sometimes the perspective of an outsider who arrives at our door with respect and humility can be useful in pointing out to us the wood from the trees. Thus, it is with great care that I tread this path and consciously ask for a broad level of generosity.
To me, Jesus was a figure modelling generosity, love, an awareness of social exclusion, a persistence to do something about it, and a real willingness to take risks in that journey. I see these as extremely important characteristics, and so find him to be truly inspiring.
His model presents us with an opportunity to challenge ourselves by simply thinking about taking action to make a contribution towards fairness in our lived relationships. There is much to learn from it and I can see why people would find his lessons and practice of them deeply moving, dedicating their lives to learning from his vision.
In contrast, I find it striking how much focus is given to the specific events and experience of Jesus's punishment under the government and laws of the time. This focus seems to have disproportionately shifted attention from his model to his mistreatment.
As a result, the idea that one "needs to suffer" has been nurtured and a virtue in "being subjected to persecutio" has been created. Thus, the idea of martyrs has somehow become acceptable, even useful to the cause.
Jesus was an important symbol of equality through love. He was a revolutionary - striving for justice, but, most importantly, believing in and working for non-violence. As such, he was a model to humanity, and there is every reason to learn about and admire his teachings.
Like only the most effective campaigners for justice, he lived by example and earned the love and influence of the masses. This presented his life as a threat to those trying to justify their structural privilege and power. As such, he was targeted, persecuted, tried and punished.
It seems to me, however, that Jesus would have much preferred for his enemies to come with him. And so, there is reason not to make this aspect of his story the focal point for those who choose to learn from him.
Without comparing Jesus to anyone, it seems to me that if we made what Nelson Mandela endured while in prison greater than what we might learn from his approach to and journey for his country's freedom, then we would indeed lose a lot of insight into our understanding of humanity and the pursuit of justice.
While knowing the stories of the injustices suffered by freedom campaigners is essential to knowing truth and transforming the world we live in, we learn much more from embodying the ideals of the vision than from concentrating on personifying the cruelty that followed when people struggled with it.
I find two main, but separate elements in what we call "religion": the philosophy and the rituals. When our priority is to guard and perform the rituals, we develop controlling and hierarchical institutions.
The effort to operate with the purpose of maintaining structures, defining and enforcing rules of membership and evaluating the behaviour of those stated members inevitably takes us down a path that is much separated from the key elements of the philosophy. This has happened to all the world religions.
Today, many Irish people feel discouraged with Catholicism and Christianity - disillusioned by failures within the organisation to prioritise or exemplify the original vision.
While these failures must have occurred before, people currently feel that the church serves no other social purpose and choose not to participate in the structure at all.
I, myself, have long since chosen to let go of compulsive rituals, exclusivity and the institutionalisation of beautiful ideas. Thus, I must confess I would find it sad if people felt that by opting out of going to church, they also could no longer engage with or admire the ideas from Jesus.
Rather his model is one that continues to deserve consideration in our lives, and I extend my solidarity to all those wishing to celebrate it specifically in this season.
• Shalini Sinha works as a counsellor, life coach and practises the Bowen Technique. She is the life coach with RTÉ's Health Squad.