Think about the word, "Catholic". What comes to mind? Most people will think in one of two ways. The outside world thinks of Catholics as people who are politically active for socially conservative causes such as opposing abortion, contraception, and gay marriage. They also may see Catholics as wound too tight with all their religious rituals and rules. Conservative Christians who are not Catholic tend to see Catholics as compromising because their lives often differ very little from the rest of the world around them who are living in sin. I think most of us can see how these two descriptions often fit most Catholics that we know today. But I want to propose a different model.
This model is not different in that no one has ever done it. Many have. We call them Saints. In fact, there are many who are living this way today. But they are often unknown and unnoticed, in part, because they are holding close to the Faith and live humble lives. The model I propose is that which I call the Radical Catholic.
The word "radical" probably conjures up images that many do not readily associate with how one should live out the Faith. Let me define my term. I mean by radical that we are not afraid to live out the Faith in its entirety the way our Lord taught and modeled it, and the way it was given to us by the apostles and their earliest successors. In the early Church, while we see evidence of human failing, we see a lot more of this radical lifestyle the Lord has given us. So what does this look like?
Such a lifestyle begins, lives, and ends in prayer. By prayer I do not mean the mere recitation of words, even if they be those of our most cherished prayers such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, or others. Rather I mean that we internalize the words of such prayer in such manner as to be truly transformed by them and conformed to the image of our Lord. Prayer is the lifting up of the heart to God. It is the sigh after heaven. It is the panting for the presence of God like the deer yearns for the running streams (Ps. 42:1). Only such prayer underlies the radical life. This prayer reaches out in faith to grasp God and insist on His ways being accomplished here on earth as surely as they are in heaven. It does not cower before God, but reverently, yet boldly, comes before Him to make our requests known.
Prayer produces a holy life. Prayer that does not do so is not really prayer. We may be saying the words and going through the motions, but it's not piercing our own hearts. Prayer is not merely talking to God but also hearing Him talk to us. This results in a more holy life. Holiness means to be set apart for the Lord's own purposes. It is to be separated from this world and separated unto God. Most of us only pay lip service to this. The radical Catholic lives it out.
The first steps of holiness require a withdrawal from the world. Just as our Lord began His public ministry by withdrawing to the desert, so we must leave the things of this world in order to hear more clearly the voice of our God directing us to what is most pleasing to Him. Separation of this sort begins right where we live. What are my habits? Are they godly? Are they contributing to eternal life or are they hindering my journey? Most of us will discover that we have a calendar filled with meaningless activity from an eternal perspective. There are things that need to go. We must confront our own vanity. What about the things we have, the clothes we wear, the ways in which we entertain ourselves? All of this must come under the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit. "Search me, O God," (Ps. 139:23,24). Going on from there we will need to learn the practice of what the saints of old call mortification. It means to limit food, rest, pleasure, and comfort for the sake of bringing our flesh in submission so as to make us most fruitful in the Spirit.
Once these things have been addressed, then the Radical Catholic finds his life is to be given up for the Lord (2 Co. 5:14, 15). I know many Catholics who are faithfully serving to help the poor and oppressed. That's good. But the radical Catholic will take it one step further and not only do such good works in Christ, but be ready always to give an answer for the reason why (1 Pet. 3:15). Furthermore, this one will make it a primary goal of life to bear witness of the Lord by telling others this good news (Mk. 16:15). While such witness is certainly more than words, it can seldom be less than words. If people do not hear the gospel from our lips they will merely think we are nice people and their own lives will remain unchanged. We live in time, but we labor for eternity. Let us not allow another opportunity to escape us of telling all people of our Savior and His infinite love and Grace.
This certainly is not an exhaustive rendering of what it means to live as a radical Catholic, but it's a start. The Church and the world are in need of such. I know of many Christians, outside of the Catholic Church, who are living this way. But to you who are Catholics, will you dare to live the life of the radical Catholic? May an army within our Church rise up and answer, "YES!"
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Renewing The Blog- Recalling The Past
It's been quite some time since I wrote anything here. Looking back at my very first post I find a number of things that resonate even clearer today. Specifically, I still find myself on that path of exploring the depths of the Catholic Faith to live out the best of what I have found. I want to live as a radical Catholic and I am searching for others who will join me. With that brief introduction, I share again my thoughts as a new Catholic from 2007.
Peace,
Keith
I was born and raised in the Assemblies of God, a denomination of the Protestant Pentecostal tradition of Christianity. For a while I was a minister in this denomination. However, at one point I was introduced to the writings of the Church Fathers. I found a level of faith and practice that was revolutionary, profound, and consistent with everything I had read in the New Testament. This set me on a journey to re-capture this ethic. In the course of time I left the AG and joined a new denomination called the Charismatic Episcopal Church. There, I learned more of the ancient faith. I thought, prayed, and reflected further on my journey. I briefly held ordination as a priest within this group. But I was still searching. I knew I was still looking for something more.
Eventually I came to believe that I was looking for the Catholic Church. And so I continued to study, pray, and have conversation. I was recently received into the Catholic Church with my family. But my pilgrimage continues.
I no longer feel that I need to find another church, or tradition. I am convinced of the truth of the Catholic Church. I believe with all my heart this is the Church that Christ founded. It is the one, true Church. That is not to say that truth cannot be found outside of it. But, simply, I believe the fullness of truth resides here. However, having said that, I still long for the radical lifestyle lived out by those early Christians and imitated by countless saints through the ages.
In my short time within the Catholic Church, I have found many exemplary individuals who have borne witness to me of this ancient and precious faith. Yet, I am painfully aware that in the main there are a number of areas where the ancient faith and its modern (read popular) practice part ways. It is here that I still find myself on a pilgrimage. For I want nothing less than the complete imitation of Christ, and full communion with Him. I long for a complete integration of my faith such that my thoughts and actions will mirror His in this present world.
I intend to use this blog as a means to place in writing what I am feeling or thinking. I invite you, my readers, to feel free to interact with me if you so choose.
Peace,
Keith
I was born and raised in the Assemblies of God, a denomination of the Protestant Pentecostal tradition of Christianity. For a while I was a minister in this denomination. However, at one point I was introduced to the writings of the Church Fathers. I found a level of faith and practice that was revolutionary, profound, and consistent with everything I had read in the New Testament. This set me on a journey to re-capture this ethic. In the course of time I left the AG and joined a new denomination called the Charismatic Episcopal Church. There, I learned more of the ancient faith. I thought, prayed, and reflected further on my journey. I briefly held ordination as a priest within this group. But I was still searching. I knew I was still looking for something more.
Eventually I came to believe that I was looking for the Catholic Church. And so I continued to study, pray, and have conversation. I was recently received into the Catholic Church with my family. But my pilgrimage continues.
I no longer feel that I need to find another church, or tradition. I am convinced of the truth of the Catholic Church. I believe with all my heart this is the Church that Christ founded. It is the one, true Church. That is not to say that truth cannot be found outside of it. But, simply, I believe the fullness of truth resides here. However, having said that, I still long for the radical lifestyle lived out by those early Christians and imitated by countless saints through the ages.
In my short time within the Catholic Church, I have found many exemplary individuals who have borne witness to me of this ancient and precious faith. Yet, I am painfully aware that in the main there are a number of areas where the ancient faith and its modern (read popular) practice part ways. It is here that I still find myself on a pilgrimage. For I want nothing less than the complete imitation of Christ, and full communion with Him. I long for a complete integration of my faith such that my thoughts and actions will mirror His in this present world.
I intend to use this blog as a means to place in writing what I am feeling or thinking. I invite you, my readers, to feel free to interact with me if you so choose.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Rise of the Sodomists
Last night, under the cover of darkness, the legislature of the State of New York burned the midnight oil. What was the call for such dedication? Were they balancing the budget? Were they coming up with more practical means of administering health care? Were they cleaning up crime? Were they helping the poor? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding "NO". The priority that kept congress in session was to vote for the legalization of open sodomy.
Perhaps it seems cruel, or "hateful", to put it in such terms, but that is what we are doing. The term "homosexuality" is merely a euphemism for what was once clearly recognized as a perversion. It was, and is, akin to polygamy, pedophilia, incest, or bestiality. One fears that we may one day be enduring the legalization of all of these under the misguided notion of "sexual preference".
How did we get here? How is it that society has gone mad and all rational and logical thought has been tossed out of the window? How have so many been made captive to the philosophical agenda of the few elites?
It began with what we call the sexual revolution. This ideological revolt begins and ends with the notion that sex is a plaything. It is the right of every adult to use this plaything in any and every way that one sees fit. This fundamental right must not be inhibited by anyone else, especially the religious and conservative bigots who would keep us in the dark ages. However, that fundamental premise is fatally flawed and, with it, every conclusion that stems from that premise.
Sex is not a plaything. Rather, it is a power. It has, or should have, mystery and awe that surround it. This power is divine. It was given to us by God. It is the one way in which we are given the privilege to do something divine- we create human beings. This divine power was intended to take place in the context of a completely self-giving love. This is what marriage truly is. Cohabitation is not completely self-giving because each person has the option of stepping out of the relationship at any time. Sodomist relationships cannot begin to be compared with this as there is no natural means of creating anything. Only marriage the way God intended- between one man and one woman- can provide this context.
Sexual relations are intended to be pleasurable, but pleasure is not the intent. It is comparable to other natural functions such as eating or sleeping. Both are pleasurable but that is not their purpose. We eat for nourishment and we sleep to be refreshed. When we engage in these for their rightful purpose we benefit. But if we do so out of the sole motivation of seeking their pleasure we become gluttons and sluggards. In the same way, the purpose for sexual relations is procreation. God has created that process to be pleasurable. But if we seek it merely for its pleasures sake we have warped what God made holy.
We will show love to those who have embraced Sodomy, not by sharing in their lie that this is normal and acceptable, but rather by sharing with them the truth that they have become enslaved by this lie and that Christ can set them free from such bondage. Many have already walked this hard road of the cross and found the liberty, peace, and true happiness for which they always longed. My purpose in saying things here as I am is not to be divisive or "hateful", but rather to clearly speak the truth so that others may be free.
I confess, I am angry- not because my ideas or opinions are ignored, but because God is so openly and arrogantly mocked. I believe my anger to be righteous in this sense and I am unapologetic for the rhetoric I choose to highlight the grave sin of our nation. I am confident the Sodomist agenda will use the victory in New York to push their agenda even more aggressively. Before long I fear we will live in a Sodomist nation and that the refusal to capitulate to Sodomist demands will be the single biggest reason for the renewed persecution of Christians.
May God have mercy on New York! May God have mercy on the United States! And may God have mercy on a world gone mad!
Perhaps it seems cruel, or "hateful", to put it in such terms, but that is what we are doing. The term "homosexuality" is merely a euphemism for what was once clearly recognized as a perversion. It was, and is, akin to polygamy, pedophilia, incest, or bestiality. One fears that we may one day be enduring the legalization of all of these under the misguided notion of "sexual preference".
How did we get here? How is it that society has gone mad and all rational and logical thought has been tossed out of the window? How have so many been made captive to the philosophical agenda of the few elites?
It began with what we call the sexual revolution. This ideological revolt begins and ends with the notion that sex is a plaything. It is the right of every adult to use this plaything in any and every way that one sees fit. This fundamental right must not be inhibited by anyone else, especially the religious and conservative bigots who would keep us in the dark ages. However, that fundamental premise is fatally flawed and, with it, every conclusion that stems from that premise.
Sex is not a plaything. Rather, it is a power. It has, or should have, mystery and awe that surround it. This power is divine. It was given to us by God. It is the one way in which we are given the privilege to do something divine- we create human beings. This divine power was intended to take place in the context of a completely self-giving love. This is what marriage truly is. Cohabitation is not completely self-giving because each person has the option of stepping out of the relationship at any time. Sodomist relationships cannot begin to be compared with this as there is no natural means of creating anything. Only marriage the way God intended- between one man and one woman- can provide this context.
Sexual relations are intended to be pleasurable, but pleasure is not the intent. It is comparable to other natural functions such as eating or sleeping. Both are pleasurable but that is not their purpose. We eat for nourishment and we sleep to be refreshed. When we engage in these for their rightful purpose we benefit. But if we do so out of the sole motivation of seeking their pleasure we become gluttons and sluggards. In the same way, the purpose for sexual relations is procreation. God has created that process to be pleasurable. But if we seek it merely for its pleasures sake we have warped what God made holy.
We will show love to those who have embraced Sodomy, not by sharing in their lie that this is normal and acceptable, but rather by sharing with them the truth that they have become enslaved by this lie and that Christ can set them free from such bondage. Many have already walked this hard road of the cross and found the liberty, peace, and true happiness for which they always longed. My purpose in saying things here as I am is not to be divisive or "hateful", but rather to clearly speak the truth so that others may be free.
I confess, I am angry- not because my ideas or opinions are ignored, but because God is so openly and arrogantly mocked. I believe my anger to be righteous in this sense and I am unapologetic for the rhetoric I choose to highlight the grave sin of our nation. I am confident the Sodomist agenda will use the victory in New York to push their agenda even more aggressively. Before long I fear we will live in a Sodomist nation and that the refusal to capitulate to Sodomist demands will be the single biggest reason for the renewed persecution of Christians.
May God have mercy on New York! May God have mercy on the United States! And may God have mercy on a world gone mad!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Downfall of Civilized Society
Along with many others, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the recent mass shooting in Arizona. How has something so horrendous become so much more commonplace in our society?
Today, while at Mass, something the priest was saying in his homily put it together for me.
For the last several years we have become an increasingly secular society. This is by design. We have worked hard to maintain an ever increasing separation between Church and State. Let God be in the churches, the synagogues, the mosques, the temples, etc, but not in the public arena. In our efforts to extricate ourselves from any notion of, or corresponding responsibility to, God, we have eliminated the only source of morality from our society. To replace it we have adopted the notion of moral relativism, which states that there is no absolute truth, no right and wrong, but only that which is perceived to be right or wrong according to the individual and circumstances.
Without a moral compass, our foundation has been knocked out from underneath us. Let me illustrate.
Suppose someone were to ask why stealing is wrong. Why is it wrong? It is because God has definitively stated, "You shall not steal." The foundation for the morality of not taking what does not belong to us is grounded in our faith in God and that God has said this is wrong. But if we remove God from the picture, there is no absolute reason to believe that stealing is wrong other than the fact that most people don't like having something taken from them. But even that is not compelling as various circumstances may justify theft over the comfort or preference of one who is victimized. Perhaps someone feels they have a right to someone else's things. Without an absolute moral foundation, there is no way to defintively state, "You shall not steal."
This brings me back to my opening thought. Why do people increasingly feel justified in murdering other people? Because we, as a society, have worked so hard to remove the moral foundation. Therefore, we can no longer state definitively, "You shall not kill." Relative morality will find a way to justify killing. People are doing it more and more. That is what we saw in Arizona. That is what we have seen in similar incidents in recent years. It's what we can expect to continually see as long as we are all going to go along with this notion that God must not be in the public arena.
Taken to its logical conclusion, we are witnessing the beginning of the end of civilized society. Because there is no foundation for society to stand upon other than moral absolutes. And there are no moral absolutes apart from God.
My plea is for the return of sanity and the rejection of this twisted experiment to redefine morality and to to remove God. Please, if you don't like reading these stories in the news, then become part of the solution by bringing God, and our responsibility to Him, back into the public arena.
Today, while at Mass, something the priest was saying in his homily put it together for me.
For the last several years we have become an increasingly secular society. This is by design. We have worked hard to maintain an ever increasing separation between Church and State. Let God be in the churches, the synagogues, the mosques, the temples, etc, but not in the public arena. In our efforts to extricate ourselves from any notion of, or corresponding responsibility to, God, we have eliminated the only source of morality from our society. To replace it we have adopted the notion of moral relativism, which states that there is no absolute truth, no right and wrong, but only that which is perceived to be right or wrong according to the individual and circumstances.
Without a moral compass, our foundation has been knocked out from underneath us. Let me illustrate.
Suppose someone were to ask why stealing is wrong. Why is it wrong? It is because God has definitively stated, "You shall not steal." The foundation for the morality of not taking what does not belong to us is grounded in our faith in God and that God has said this is wrong. But if we remove God from the picture, there is no absolute reason to believe that stealing is wrong other than the fact that most people don't like having something taken from them. But even that is not compelling as various circumstances may justify theft over the comfort or preference of one who is victimized. Perhaps someone feels they have a right to someone else's things. Without an absolute moral foundation, there is no way to defintively state, "You shall not steal."
This brings me back to my opening thought. Why do people increasingly feel justified in murdering other people? Because we, as a society, have worked so hard to remove the moral foundation. Therefore, we can no longer state definitively, "You shall not kill." Relative morality will find a way to justify killing. People are doing it more and more. That is what we saw in Arizona. That is what we have seen in similar incidents in recent years. It's what we can expect to continually see as long as we are all going to go along with this notion that God must not be in the public arena.
Taken to its logical conclusion, we are witnessing the beginning of the end of civilized society. Because there is no foundation for society to stand upon other than moral absolutes. And there are no moral absolutes apart from God.
My plea is for the return of sanity and the rejection of this twisted experiment to redefine morality and to to remove God. Please, if you don't like reading these stories in the news, then become part of the solution by bringing God, and our responsibility to Him, back into the public arena.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Reality Check
I obviously have no time to keep a blog. Still, there are times like today when it's nice to have the outlet of writing something down.
Recently, my wife and I watched a movie entitled A Man Called Peter. It is the story of Peter Marshall who became chaplain of the U.S. Senate in the late '40's. Peter Marshall was an exceptional preacher and there are some great excerpts from his sermons in the movie.
We've seen this movie many times before. But this time I was struck by how real Peter Marshall made Christ to the people. It is a characteristic I want to adopt. But going on from there I began to realize that what makes this work is being real.
I would like to think of myself as being more pious than I really am. But I want to be honest with myself, and others, about who and what I really am. I think I can make better progress by honestly admitting my failings rather than pretending they don't exist. My hope, is that I will find that, by God's grace, I am indeed progressing to the person I hope to become- a thoroughly real Christian.
Recently, my wife and I watched a movie entitled A Man Called Peter. It is the story of Peter Marshall who became chaplain of the U.S. Senate in the late '40's. Peter Marshall was an exceptional preacher and there are some great excerpts from his sermons in the movie.
We've seen this movie many times before. But this time I was struck by how real Peter Marshall made Christ to the people. It is a characteristic I want to adopt. But going on from there I began to realize that what makes this work is being real.
I would like to think of myself as being more pious than I really am. But I want to be honest with myself, and others, about who and what I really am. I think I can make better progress by honestly admitting my failings rather than pretending they don't exist. My hope, is that I will find that, by God's grace, I am indeed progressing to the person I hope to become- a thoroughly real Christian.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Day Approaches
It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep. The night is far spent; the day draws near. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:11,12
This passage is taken from the Morning Office of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. It speaks of new beginnings. Now that we are in Christ, it is time to put away the sinful works of darkness and embrace the ways of Christ who is our Light.
Today's Gospel Reading for the Mass is taken from St. Luke's account of Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector, a very sinful man, who wanted to see Jesus. Jesus went to his house for dinner and forgave the man. His gratitude was evident in his resolve to live very differently from what he had before. This is true conversion; the reception of divine love and grace, and the corresponding transformation that follows.
Every moment of our lives provides us with such an opportunity. Whether we have been very religious, or not religious at all, God's grace abounds to the sinner in every place. No matter what you have done, this opportunity is available.
The night draws to a close. The day of our Lord's appearing is at hand. It is time to put away the works of darkness. Don't wallow in the failings of yesterday. Look forward to the life of Grace being offered to you in this moment. Let it be the moment of conversion. Let the day dawn and the Morning Star rise in your heart. Receive the warmth of the new day in Christ and go and sin no more!
Romans 13:11,12
This passage is taken from the Morning Office of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. It speaks of new beginnings. Now that we are in Christ, it is time to put away the sinful works of darkness and embrace the ways of Christ who is our Light.
Today's Gospel Reading for the Mass is taken from St. Luke's account of Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector, a very sinful man, who wanted to see Jesus. Jesus went to his house for dinner and forgave the man. His gratitude was evident in his resolve to live very differently from what he had before. This is true conversion; the reception of divine love and grace, and the corresponding transformation that follows.
Every moment of our lives provides us with such an opportunity. Whether we have been very religious, or not religious at all, God's grace abounds to the sinner in every place. No matter what you have done, this opportunity is available.
The night draws to a close. The day of our Lord's appearing is at hand. It is time to put away the works of darkness. Don't wallow in the failings of yesterday. Look forward to the life of Grace being offered to you in this moment. Let it be the moment of conversion. Let the day dawn and the Morning Star rise in your heart. Receive the warmth of the new day in Christ and go and sin no more!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
All Saints Day
Today is the Feast of All Saints. It is the time we remember all those who have died and are now in the Presence of the Lord. It is a very special feast in the Catholic Church.
Why do we venerate saints?
We do so to honor those who have lived holy lives. We want to hold them up as examples to be followed.
We also do so to glorify God. We realize that saints have attained such holiness only by the grace of God as given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. To honor them is to glorify the One who has changed them.
Saints were every day people like us. They shared our circumstances and struggles. However, they chose to walk in the way of the cross and pursue holiness rather than give in to their own desires or the pressures of the surrounding society.
On this Feast of All Saints, I yearn ever more to truly be holy. I am so far from such a thing. But I trust in the Lord who has promised His power to all who call on Him in faith. By His grace I believe that I will indeed be holy and that I will be granted the gift of seeing Him face to face, if I endure to the end.
May the Lord grant us all such grace and may the prayers of all the saints aid us in our endeavor. Amen!
Why do we venerate saints?
We do so to honor those who have lived holy lives. We want to hold them up as examples to be followed.
We also do so to glorify God. We realize that saints have attained such holiness only by the grace of God as given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. To honor them is to glorify the One who has changed them.
Saints were every day people like us. They shared our circumstances and struggles. However, they chose to walk in the way of the cross and pursue holiness rather than give in to their own desires or the pressures of the surrounding society.
On this Feast of All Saints, I yearn ever more to truly be holy. I am so far from such a thing. But I trust in the Lord who has promised His power to all who call on Him in faith. By His grace I believe that I will indeed be holy and that I will be granted the gift of seeing Him face to face, if I endure to the end.
May the Lord grant us all such grace and may the prayers of all the saints aid us in our endeavor. Amen!
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