Understanding the Picture

I've heard the argument a few times that the Church that apologists write about, the Church that the catechism describes, the Church founded in the Bible, that Church simply doesn't exist in real life. I've heard it from secularists describing Christianity as a whole, and many Christians say it about Catholicism specifically. I, of course, find this absurdly false.

Well, okay, I actually can understand the argument. It's one made exclusively by those on the outside of the Church, which should give you a fair idea of the validity of the source. Not to say that those claiming such are stupid; In fact, far from it. I've found that the less intelligent arguments tend to make up the bulk of the "You're a heretical, non-christian, satanic organization" objections. Or, in the case of the secular world, the less intelligent claims tend to fall around the idea that Christianity and religion in general is responsible for all the world's misfortunes and everything good that has ever happened was a result of freethinking men and women breaking free from the shackle of religious ignorance.

Conversely, it's far more eloquent to make the claim that, while the idea of Catholicism might be great, it falls apart and simply doesn't work when you plug human beings into the system. So the argument can be made that it's wiser to avoid the system altogether and find one that works better, but I totally understand if you were born into it, and it's a nice idea so feel free to stick with it. I'm just not going to join, because what's the point? I'm in my little system that works okay, so whatever.

You know though, there's a reason apologists claim certain things about the Church. They certainly believe what they're saying. And it's easy to forget amidst all the verse slinging and debate over the meaning of Greek words and why this perfect passive participle is located where it is, that these folks are devout Catholics. They go to Mass, oftentimes daily. They are active members of their parishes, have close friendships with laity and clergy alike. And they aren't just lying about their experiences.

The fact of the matter is that the Church that exists on paper is absolutely the Church that exists in reality. Now, it's filled with sinners, broken people who will always fall short of the glory of God. From the Pope, the Bishops, the Priests and Deacons, to the cloistered Religious and folks in the pews, all of us are sinners. All of us are at different points in our faith journeys, but none of us in the Church Militant - That is, the Church on earth - are yet made righteous. St Paul makes that clear.

I say this accusation is a more intelligent one because it tends to be put forth by those with a lot schooling and education under their belts. Those who read the most, study the most, and use the biggest words. But this is precisely where the problem comes from to begin with.

See, it's easy to get lost in all the theology and history. You "can't see the forest for the trees", so to speak. We can get so focused on what Pope made what decree under what historical circumstance, and we can see the far-reaching consequences of certain ecclesiastical decisions, so it easy to end up denying certain doctrines based, not on sound scriptural research, but on an over-reading of context.

Don't get me wrong. Catholicism is a deeply theological religion, and is firmly rooted in historical truth. Theology and historical context are absolutely the Church's two biggest allies in discussion and debate against other Christians and unbelievers alike. But they must be carefully regulated against the sacred Deposit of Faith, or else they tend to muddy the waters.

So how does one discern the pure Holiness of the Church from the sinfulness of its adherents? There are identifiable Fruits of the Spirit outlined in scripture when it comes to the people, but what about the system, the Church itself. Well, God is a God of order, and not chaos. He did not leave His flock without a shepherd. It is demonstrated time and time again in Scripture that the Church is the pillar and foundation of the Truth. The Holy Spirit provided us with the purity of God's word that we must hold fast to, either by written letter or word of mouth. Christ left us with His Church as a guide to and through the word, granting it the power to Bind and Loose. He left us with a vicar that holds the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Are these men perfect? No, of course not. But that's the point. We were left with a system that, against all odds and against attacks from without and from within, perseveres through the centuries. It lifts men up in spite of themselves. Christ always ordered the wounded and afflicted to rise up, and they did, healed and good as new.

It can be hard to tell what it's all about to an outsider. You can visit a local parish and see an immoral Priest and half-empty pews housing bored, sinful people that refuse to accept the teachings of the Church. But when you truly begin to absorb Truth and give yourself over to Christ and His Church, you can enter that same parish and see a a totally different picture.

Think of it like a stained-glass window. When you are standing outside looking in, all you see is a dirty, dark blob of shapes and mortar. But walk inside the building and suddenly the glass shines with beautiful light, telling a rich story. But if you never taken those steps, it would have been very, very easy to say "They say that stained glass is beautiful, but what I'm seeing in reality isn't anything special. In fact, it's kind of ugly." It's the same with the Catholic Church and Christianity in general.

To see the Truth of Christianity and Catholicism, perspective matters. Are you standing on the outside looking at darkened glass and dull brick? Or are you standing on the inside understanding the picture?

Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

Well folks, we've just finished up one of my personal favorite times of the year, the Triduum. I've often said that the period leading up to it, Lent, is the most Grace-filled period on the liturgical calendar, if you're willing to reach out and accept some. And I believe that. But there's something very special about the period of Christ's Passion that is the culmination of all that Lenten Grace (in fact, the culmination of thousands of years of divine preparation, but that's not the point I'm making).

Of course, my two favorite Masses of the year are the Evening Mass of Lord's Supper, and the Easter Vigil two evenings later. Their striking liturgical beauty, the way they bookend the Triduum, calling us to partake in the universal plea for salvation that is the Passion. Also, their length. People seem to think I'm out of my mind when I mention that I wish that Sunday Mass was about a half-hour longer. But once you realize what's happening during the Sacred Liturgy, why wouldn't you want it to last a little longer? It enraptures your mind, and you just don't want it to end. This year however, as I sat in my pew (left center, front row) on Thursday evening, and later at the Vigil, a thought struck me.

My Protestant brothers and sisters, I love you guys. We share so much, we can rejoice together in the fact that Christ paid a debt for us that we could never hope to fulfill. But guys, you've got nothing like this. And, you know, it's not your fault. The problem is, you subscribe to a theology that simply can't. It doesn't matter if you're Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, even Lutheran or Episcopalian. Trinitarian, Unitarian, Bitarian. Conservative, Liberal, Progressive, Universalist. It doesn't matter. You reject tenants of Christianity that prevent you from partaking in the fullness of worship.

Sermons are great. They can stir the heart and inspire us to Christian action. But they aren't the point of gathering together on the Lord's day. Theme weekends, bible lecture series, fellowship and hugs and spiritual gifts, these things are great, but they aren't the point. They never have been, they never will be. From the beginning, Christians have gathered for one reason.

Worship.

Of course, at this point you may be tempted to say "Well, I worship best listening to a great sermon and singing heartfelt hymns!". And my reply would be no. You don't. You worship best by worshiping the way God wants to be worshiped.

I don't say this to attack or condemn those that fall into the categories I mentioned. You've developed a relationship with Christ, and that's what it's all about. But at some point, you've got to take that relationship to the next level. The level Christ has called for us to attain.

My challenge to you is this: Go to Mass. The Triduum season is over, but we celebrate Christ's death and resurrection every week. Every day, in fact. Attend the liturgy and listen. Follow along and participate. Ignore the kids fighting in the pew behind you, the baby crying in the back, the bored woman fighting back a yawn in front of you, and actually get involved. Every word, every movement, every gesture and response is full of purpose, dripping with meaning, and is regarded as something sacred. Every symbol, icon, statue, stained glass window, and gilded chalice firmly points towards Jesus Christ and him crucified.

And I urge you to pay special attention to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is through those words that Heaven pours itself down onto the altar and Christ appears. Not the spirit of Christ, or a symbol, but Christ himself is truly present to us there, and we fall to our knees in true worship and awe.

And after you let that wash over you, realize that for all the fun and fellowship and bible study you experience at your church, the raw sacredness simply isn't there. The reverence and adoration of Christ's real presence isn't on display in all it's glory. And then realize why it can't be.

And then come home.