Catholic Sensibility

Catholic Pessimism vs Catholic Realistic Optimism My instincts tell me that optimism is part of a healthy life and optimism impacts us positively in the various realms: physical, emotional, and spiritual. While true that pollyanna people have a one-sided view of life, I think the same holds true for pessimists. Translating to Advent terms, some pollyannas were expecting the Messiah to come, kick butt, and restore the virtuous to prosperity. Maybe that was the plan liberal optimists had in mind. Win the War on Poverty, give equal rights, ensure everybody gets a fair piece of the pie, and heaven on earth is only a generation away. Church liberals too: let's just open up the windows, let in some fresh air, and everything will be smooth sailing for ever and ever. Pessimists might tell us the Messiah isn't coming. Pessimists would tell us a battle that can't be won isn't worth fighting. The poor we will always have with us, so why bother about the temporal? The same group will tell us Vatican II was a failure, and sometimes in so many words, suggest we just turn the clock back. SoDakMonk's recent essay here: http://sodakmonk.crimsonblog.com/archives20041201.html#93010 wasn't exactly dour, and it wasn't exactly congruent to my imaginary pessimist, but it underscores the blind spot in today's "orthodox" Catholicism. First, five points of the post-conciliar Church are laid out: 1. The priesthood is de-emphasized. 2. Celibacy is de-emphasized. 3. Sacrifice in general is de-emphasized. 4. Faith is seen primarily as providing people with comfort. 5. Popular models of spirituality are effeminate, that is, they lack appropriate masculinity. 1. I see people all over the ideological spectrum who still respect their priests and honor the notion of priesthood. That isn't to say there's not some erosion of emphasis. Some of it is the clergy's own doing, both individually, as in the case of molesters and bishops. Some is due to the loss of respect for authority in general, and would have happened if there wasn't a council. Some of it is due to chafing at the "lording over" clergy sometimes have practiced. Do leaders lead from pedestals? Do they lead by showing the way? Personally, I think the clergy are in trouble most of all because the nature of Holy Orders was never dealt with in depth by the council. But that's a topic for another post. 2. Sex is emphasized throughout the West, thanks to the 50's and 60's, but this is a development of culture, not council. 3. I'm not sure I can buy into the pessimism that sacrifice is passe for Catholics. I think the concept is worth prayer and discernment for individuals, parishes, and any religious community. Maybe people are still willing to make sacrifices, but they look for some assurance it will be a worthy effort. Parishes still build churches and schools, and there's no lack for money when a good plan comes forward and the people trust their leaders. Young people, as well as the V2 generation still spend a year or more of their lives doing mission work and serving the church and the poor. I distrust the sentiment that the notion of sacrifice has been lost. 4. Spiritual creature comforts? I guess I don't understand where the author is coming from. 5. Actually I think images of Jesus were more effeminate before Vatican II than after. The 12-Step Movement has probably influenced popular spirituality as much as any other recent development. And while some people are happy to hover on the fluffy fringes of AA and other groups, those who are really seeking healing and inspiration will eventually come face to face with the gritty reality of personal honesty. SoDakMonk continues: "My main point: when any Catholics, well-intentioned or not, express regret, anger or sorrow over the loss of their local parish, they should be reminded that we as Church have been working toward that goal for more than a generation. That may sound terrible but it is the truth. We reap what we sow." This conclusion doesn't ring true with me. It sounds like blaming, another modern Western culture hallmark. While true that local consequences happen when a parish remains stubborn about growth and reform, I cannot imagine that spirituality is to blame for the flight of Catholics to the suburbs. The institution of the Catholic parish remains very strong in North America. The various associations touted by neoconservative Catholics have about as much hope of taking root in the US as Liberation Theology does. I could see it in small groups on the fringes of Catholicism. But it won't ever be a mainstream development anytime soon. "Whatever real renewal is going on in the Church is taking place largely in the newer organizations and asociations that have arisen." SoDakMonk's last statement here misses the mark. I think renewal happens whenever Catholics are deeply intentional about living their faith. To a degree, we see it in the internet blogging community, which despite its tendency to self-immolate in bile, does have certain qualities of vitality. Intentional Catholicism is seen in some Tridentine Mass communities. I suspect communities that flourish do so not necessarily because of the fruits of the liturgy. The liturgy is a banner for people to rally around, bond with others, and explore a deeper spirituality. You see it in LifeTeen parishes, too. I saw much the same in my own parish in the 80's. A very liberal, and sometimes infuriating place, but undeniably touched by the Holy Spirit. I find an optimism spiked with a dose of realism is a most helpful outlook. When I was approached about six years ago by people who wanted to bring a St Joan of Arc/LifeTeen infusion to a parish Sunday night liturgy, I was deeply doubtful. But when you've got about a dozen people willing to invest time, prayer, and effort in liturgy (making sacrifices for it) you can't overlook the potential. The notion needed guidance, and I winced at some things that were suggested (and a few that were tried), but even though the experiment lasted only a year, it bore fruit I did not foresee. My optimism about the Holy Spirit working in people's lives let me consider an effort I would not have chosen to initiate. My realism allowed me to steer good developments into mainstream parish liturgy and help one or two good friends through their disappointment we didn't become St Joan's of Iowa. Pessimists will always attract a crowd. Sort of like slasher movies. But after time, the dire speeches grow wearisome. They do not reflect good leadership or sacrifice. In a twisted way, they appeal to the cheer other pessimists find when things go badly for others--the I-told-you-so crowd. And pessimism is ultimately a passive approach to life. The caricature of it would be a person who sits in a recliner, passes judgment on everything that skitters on the tv, rarely bothers to get involved because it won't do much good anyway. Optimists, though sometimes misguided, are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. With Christmas virtually upon us, it's important to remember that the time of Baby Jesus in the manger was long ago. Remember it, celebrate it, sure. But fifty other weeks of the liturgical year are devoted to furthering the Gospel. And I'd rather hang with optimists, however misguided we can be, than play it safe by condemning others' mistakes.