Institutional Religion is Good and Even Necessary

Institutions have gotten a bad wrap these last decades. We may see all the bad things that people have done in institutions of governing bodies, businesses or organizations. Somehow, this has been translated into the thought that all institutions are bad and especially churches. Nothing could be further from the truth. Take for example non-for-profit organizations. Typically speaking, they do good. The Catholic Church has Saint Vincent De Paul Society, Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services that help those in need. On top of that, we can look at all the holy orders with their multitude of religious sisters and brothers to tend to the poor and outcast; who have bound up wounds in hospitals and even founded them (Mother Cabrini); who teach at all levels of education; who continue to do so with dedication; all these throughout the world. The support one gets from the church community can be invaluable for those in crises. If that were not enough, where else do we get to receive the grace of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist daily and are offered reconciliation with Jesus in confession and Holy Anointing. Institutional Religion provides a structure by which all these things can happen. The Institution of our faith allows us to put our faith into action. And if we do not put our faith into action, "it is dead" 2 James 14-17. But I suppose some prefer it that way.