Saturday, September 04, 2004
Crabby Catholicism
Some more reflections on "crabby Catholicism," as Brigid put it.
Certainly, there are deathly serious issues afoot in the world, and even in the Church. Most of these concern most of us. But I don't think I'm recommending we all put on a happy face when talking about abortion, the Iraq War, or even if our wealthy neighborhood should host a home for troubled youth or Downs Syndrome folks. I do think there is a way to bring a measure of seriousness into our lives and our conversations without letting it take over.
A person who constantly frets over the Big Issue close to their heart is actually playing God. That's right: playing God. It's God's job to cry and fret over wasted human opportunity. It's our job to center our attention, belief, and faith on God. We are urged to cooperate most fully with God's will. I was looking at a photo of a pastor who opposes a Planned Parenthood outfit coming into his neighborhood. I'd object, too, but I wouldn't stare into the camera with a frown. Even if the reporter asked me to.
Somewhere in between a frown and a grin is an attitude of serious ... tenacity. A tenacious person doesn't let up in effort. Tenacious people know they're on the fringe, on the outside, struggling to hold on and maintain their stance. I think it should be more that way for Catholics. Less frowning and fretting about things outside of our control. If we have to wear a grin, let it be a slight, knowing grin of serenity. We trust God. We trust our way of life and our traditions. We think people who choose killing are very wrong and misled. But we're so sure our way is the appropriate one, we don't even need to bother to yell, protest, frown, run away, or throw a tantrum to get your attention. Eventually, the fact that people don't have to live out of alignment with God will sink in somewhere. And people will come looking for those strange optimists who were so sure they had it right, they didn't even bother to buy television time.
