Christ is in our midst!!
The question that haunts me when these discussions come up is this. Are we here to pack the pews and be like everyone else? Or are we here to learn, live, and pass the Fatih once delivered regardless of the consequences?
We have faithful witnesses in our Easter Catholic and Orthodox brethren who have lived under hostile regimes for many centuries and who have preserved the Faith once delivered despite the persecution. The Coptic Church, the Armenian Church, the Syriac Church, the Church of the East, The Greek Church, the Antochian Church, the Russian Church--all have lived with active persecution and thrived.
As for our bishops, currently, in whatever Western country, is it all about the money and the census totals? Pope St. John Paul II once remarked that he would prefer to preside over a much smaller Church that was firmly committed. That's cause for thought. The Russian Church--closer to our age--was said to be purified by the fire of persecution after the October Revolution. Thoees who are willing to put their lives on the line for Christ always come to the fore. Are we?
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We are here to pass the faith, not fill pews but......
A question that haunts me is.....just what is this "faith" that we are to keep and pass, that we are so fearful of altering? Is it a collection of rules, a collection of definitions whose set of words are so precise and polished? Or rather, is our faith far more? There is no question that the faith is found in the Gospels. Likewise, it's groundwork is the Old Testament. Assuredly, it is beautifully outlined in the Creed. Of course, the Church has reflected on it and honed it for centuries, as institutions do.......no question.
But what of its' abstract notions? What about the faith as a home for human dignity, for compassion, forgiveness, understanding? Have we forgottened that these notions, and more like them, lie at the heart of the faith? Or, have we become the new Pharisees with our faith? Have we become so occupied with the collection of rules and definitions that we now believe they have become more important that the abstract ones? Are we ready to condemn healing because it was done on the Sabbath....or ( gasp!) to someone who is an outcast, or marginalized?
As to" hostile regimes" - these easy to spot. It is easy to identify one. It is could be a regime that is atheistic, as in Stalinist Russia. It could be a regime that is theocratically non- Christian, legally recognizing only its own religion and persecuting others, we have those too.
What is not easy to spot are regimes (or political movements) that pretend "the Judaic/Christian" ideals but stand for principles that are incompatible with Gospel teachings. They are sneakier than the hostile states because they enlist people wanting to "keep and pass the faith". They dupe good people into believing that their designs are in line with that " faith", while all along they stand for power, greed, hate and revenge......the exact opposite of the "faith." At least we know where we are with hostile states and, yes, there is a chance that these conditions may purify. But with the sneaky regimes, there is a chance that the real faith becomes perverted. I am grateful that some Bishops feel the need to warn us and expose the sneaky ones.
Friends, while we debate whether we should cross ourselves from left to right- or right to left, or stand versus kneel, there are a whole lot of people out there needing their neighbors' love. This is a a time when so many people feel alienated and lost. This is a a time when so many need hope....... Are we Christians going to share the faith, or keep and pass it to only those we think deserve it?
