What Would Jesus Say?

We cry out for spiritual guidance on moral issues that, though not unique to our time, are different in many ways from the past. Of course, the Bible and Church provide guidance, but it would be even more helpful if Jesus were still walking among us and addressing today’s issues directly. What follows are suggestions of what He might say if He were here in person. Below are some common ideas and common questions followed by suggestions of what Jesus might say about them.

Common Idea: That everyone creates his or her truth and it should be respected as correct for that person and not questioned. To do otherwise would be an offense against the person. How Jesus might respond: God creates all that exists, including truth. The role of humans is to use the intelligence the God gave them and seek that truth. Finding it gives us wisdom and guides us to lives that are both meaningful and pleasing to the Father. In contrast, the false idea that we create truth discourages us from learning from others and growing more knowledgeable and wiser.

Common Idea: The idea of original sin that affects every human is no longer tenable. Therefore, every person should be regarded as sinless. How Jesus might respond: The idea that all humans are flawed is not only found in the Bible but has been demonstrated throughout time. That demonstration is available in virtually every report of human events. Those who feel uncomfortable with the term “sin” because it recalls my Father’s commandments may choose instead a related terms such as crime, evil, error, immorality, misdeed, transgression, wrongdoing, or a host of others. But all of them are simply other ways of saying “sin” and in no way escape the reality of human flaws.

Common Idea: If young or older people feel that they are the wrong gender, they should undergo surgery and/or medical procedures to change their gender. No one, including parents, should have the right to challenge that choice. How Jesus might respond: Each person is created by God and that creation reflects His wisdom. Feelings can be transitory and/or mistaken and those who are very young are especially vulnerable. God makes parents responsible for caring for and guiding their children, and their role supersedes all others. Though there may be cases of medical necessity or of parental irresponsibility concerning gender, they must be approached with awareness that all human beings are flawed and any mistakes concerning gender can be devastating.

Common Question: Are all religions equal in God’s Eyes? How Jesus might respond: Yes and no. The Bible provides many examples of religious groups turning from God and being punished. At the time they did so, they were not as equal in God’s eyes as other religious groups who loved and obeyed Him. But that situation can change, as Scripture explains, “…If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7 ) With that said, we should remember it is more important to be concerned that we, as individuals, are pleasing to God than that our religious group is.

Common Question: In modern culture, it is difficult to tell whom we should trust, believe, and imitate, and whom we should not. What can we do to overcome that difficulty? How Jesus might respond: Matthew 7 quoted me as saying,^“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves . . . Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. By their fruits you will know them.” Matthew also offered this quote: ^“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” You can follow these guidelines by first looking past what people say and focusing on what they do, and then by examining the consequences of what they do—that is, determine whether what they do solves problems or increases them, helps people or hurts them.

Common Idea: Hatred is a natural feeling and should not be stifled in those that have it. How Jesus might respond: The fact that hatred comes naturally does not make it good. God’s very nature is goodness and Scripture emphasizes love of neighbor and hatred only of evil. And that is what God wants from those he loves. Proverbs says, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” John says, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer.” Romans says, ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” And Matthew says, “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”

Common Question: Is being wealthy sinful? How Jesus might respond: Wealth is not evil, nor is possessing it a sin. After all, it is God who enables us to become wealthy and to use wealth wisely. Deuteronomy says, “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” And Proverbs adds, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” As these passages show, to have money is a blessing to be used for good purpose and to share. Like other good things, it is sinful only when used improperly.

Common Idea: It is immoral for countries to prevent outsiders from entering their country without permission. Therefore, restrictive border laws should be abolished, and cities and states should provide sanctuary to illegal aliens. How Jesus might respond: Open borders seem consistent with love of neighbor and thus virtuous. But in reality, they are neither, because they produce bad consequences. For example, they cause the swelling of populations that creates hardship for both migrants and residents. They also expose legal immigrants and citizens alike to criminal activity, including drug sales and the molestation of children. Finally, those who provide sanctuary to illegal aliens prevent officials from maintaining order and saving fellow citizens from harm.

Common Idea: No criminal, regardless of the number of his/her crimes, should be incarcerated, because God wants us to forgive others repeatedly. Imprisonment for any length of time represents a failure to forgive. How Jesus might respond: When Peter asked me whether he should forgive seven times, I responded “no, seventy times seven.” That was a way of saying “be generous in forgiving others,” an idea that is repeated throughout Scripture. But that does not mean that justice is unimportant, or that people who have proved to be a danger to others should be allowed to go free. It is possible to forgive a vicious criminal and at the same time approve his incarceration.

Common Idea: Lay people should obey religious leaders without question because such leaders are closer to God and wiser than other people. How Jesus might respond: It is appropriate to respect those in positions of any authority, including religious authority. However, we should not forget that everyone, regardless of his or her position, is subject to error and sin. It is true that the Holy Spirit offers guidance, but no less true that people can ignore or reject that guidance. It is therefore wise to evaluate what people say and do, no matter their status, so that we can separate truth from fiction and wisdom from foolishness.

The approach shown in this essay is not a substitute for reading the Bible or the Catechism, and certainly not a casual rephrasing of Jesus’s teachings. Far from it. It is a careful application of Jesus’s teachings to the challenging issues of our time. Using it in this manner can help free us from the influence of mass culture, which often twists religious ideas to fit political programs.

Copyright © 2026 by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero. All rights reserved