Left vs Right. What is this? You are probably thinking I will be writing about national politics, however, that is not the case. While we do hear of 'left and right' used to describe political ideologies and what have you, the same terms are used to describe Catholics.
The "left" Catholics are seen as those who are not afraid to question the Church, are focused on social justice and social and Church issues such as: women's ordination, abortion, celibacy, contraception, homosexuality, sex education, 99% v 1%. They seek radical changes that will basically replace Church doctrines in favor of teachings and practices that service man not God.
The "right" Catholics are seen as those who are "republican," adhere to social conservative ideas, are loyal to the Church prior to Vatican II and despise any changes made in the name of Catholic renewal. They seek to put the Church above nations, and prefer clericalism.
These terms sound interesting and there is truth to them; however, they do not reflect a Catholic in reality.
A Catholic is neither "leftwing" or "rightwing." A Catholic is a Catholic when he/she professes the Creed with sincerity, adheres to the Sacred Deposit of the Church (Sacred Scripture/ Sacred Tradition), and are faithful to the magisterium of the Church.
To quote the great outspoken Archbishop of New York, the late John Cardinal o'Connor, "The Church is not a salad bar, from which to pick and choose what pleases you."
So again in case the first time wasn't clear:
A Catholic is a Catholic when he/she is faithful to the Church and her teachings and puts them into practice.
Anyone who claims to be Catholic but picks and chooses what teachings to believe and put into practice is not a Catholic. He/she is a band-wagoner.
First: "radical changes that will basically replace Church doctrines in favor of teachings and practices that service man not God." The Church services 'man' - the group that makes up the believers, by providing teachings and practices. God doesn't need servicing. It is the believers who benefit from the New Testament, and the Church. Maybe you meant that, but I missed it.
ReplyDeleteJohn Cardinal O'Connor, "The Church is not a salad bar, from which to pick and choose what pleases you." I love the Cardinal, but could he hold that same criteria for Emperor Constantine's Nicene Council? They were doing nothing but picking and choosing from 972 scrolls from Qumran, and other documents. They may have been guided by the Holy Spirit, but they were still 'men' who stood to benefit by the books they chose and the rules they made. No? ie: The Nicene Creed
How about the new discoveries of metal scrolls and manuscripts in Jordan. Will a Powerful Church disregard them, or will God's children be served with truth. I believe, as always, it does Vatican power structure no good to open the possibility that they got some of it wrong. Of course, for now, they are what we've got. I believe in the Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. May they never mislead from misdeed.
This is a man who 'got it'. You are probably sick, by now, of his sometimes dense treatises. He shares thoughts with me over the centuries, again and again. St. Augustine came to belief from skepticism. As he questions his understanding of God, God reveals himself in sort of a dialectic of mind that is written in a beautifully organized expression of love for God.
"What art Thou then, my God? what, but the Lord God? For who is Lord but the Lord? or who is God save our God? Most highest, most good, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful, yet most just; most hidden, yet most present; most beautiful, yet most strong, stable, yet incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet all-changing; never new, never old; all-renewing, and bringing age upon the proud, and they know it not; ever working, ever at rest; still gathering, yet nothing lacking; supporting, filling, and overspreading; creating, nourishing, and maturing; seeking, yet having all things. Thou lovest, without passion; art jealous, without anxiety; repentest, yet grievest not; art angry, yet serene; changest Thy works, Thy purpose unchanged; receivest again what Thou findest, yet didst never lose; never in need, yet rejoicing in gains; never covetous, yet exacting usury. Thou receivest over and above, that Thou mayest owe; and who hath aught that is not Thine? Thou payest debts, owing nothing; remittest debts, losing nothing. And what had I now said, my God, my life, my holy joy? or what saith any man when he speaks of Thee? Yet woe to him that speaketh not, since mute are even the most eloquent." ~ St. Augustine of Hippo
St. Augustine could have done without the Vatican, but the living Church could not have done without St. Augustine.
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DeleteNo the Church does not service man per se. Man is not the center of the Church. She gathers man into the Body of Christ so that man can know, love and serve God. The Church was not founded by Christ to be some social justice humanist organization. She was founded by Christ to be used as an instrument of Salvation.
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The "Qumran" scrolls are a recent discovery. To my knowledge, those scrolls belonged to a Jewish sect and Constantine had no access to them. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit will guide the Church in Truth. As Jesus proved on Easter Sunday, He is not a liar. There is a reason why the Bible and Catholic Church have survived for so long and it is not because of the 'men' who run the Church. The canon was chosen after much prayer and study of the actual texts in there original forms. They were organized in a way to highlight the path of Salvation from the beginning to end.
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All kinds of discoveries will be made since I am sure ancient peoples buried things everywhere; however, the canon is already established and the Holy Spirit has guided the Church in Truth. Most likely the Church will not have anything to do with any discoveries. We do not have an "Indiana Jones" traveling around looking for artifacts. God is in control of the Church, not man. Any change will come from God, not anyone or anything else. I can assure you that the Bible is accurate and is all that is needed -alongside Sacred Tradition- to know the plan of God to save man. We don't need any other scrolls.
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The Catholic Church needs no one but God. She is His Church. She is His Bride. St. Augustine was not infallible. He was a great thinker, but only the Magisterium guided by the Holy Spirit articulates without error the doctrines we are to believe. Let's take Aquinas for example. Aquinas was against the current understanding of the Immaculate Conception, while Duns Scotus defended it. Aquinas nor Scotus are infallible. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit had the final say and the Immaculate Conception doctrine stood afoot. That being said, the Church can do without anyone because the Holy Spirit is with Her and He is the one who guides her not men.
answered your comment on my blog, jesusmustbestopped.blogspot.com. thanks for commenting!
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