Skip to main content
Where do you stand as a Catholic in this time or turmoil? Have you struggled with the implications of dwindling priests exacerbated by the abuse scandal? Have you spent time in prayer, talking with God about your role in the future of your Church? Do you have an idea of how you will use the talents, abilities and gifts that God has provided you to make a difference in this world especially within your Church? Have you asked God to use you in this way? Catholic blogger John L. Allen Jr. writes that the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict XVI is adopting a strategy that many minority groups have employed in the past. Now Allen is kind enough to define what he feels is a minority group because my first reaction, and probably yours, is that the Catholic Church cannot be a minority group based on the fact that it is the largest Christian Church in the world and it continues to grow at the macro level. However, Allen makes the point that because of the recent attacks against the Church, we Catholics are being treated like all minority groups by suffering discrimination and subordination and common burdens, among other things, that is creating a we versus them mentality. He is not suggesting that the Pope is using public relation tactics to change the tide of negative publicity but merely responding to the current crisis. I think that the leadership exhibited by Pope Benedict has been strong and worthy of emulation. If Allen is right in his assertion that Pope Benedict is viewing the current situation through the lens of what Arnold Toynbee describes as creative minority, then I am hopeful that change is coming. The idea is that when great civilizations enter a crisis, they either decay or are renewed from within by “creative minorities” who offer a compelling vision of the future. Which returns me to my first point. Are you willing to be part of this creative minority that rebuilds the Lord's Church from the inside? The folks that attempt to tear the Church apart are only being used by Satan as one of his devils. We must allow God to use us to counter this attack. We must become the hands, feet, mouth, and brains of the creative minority within God's Church so that we can continue to allow His work on earth. Will you answer the call?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gentle Art of Holy Surrender

In the quiet, dusty corners of our hearts, we often harbor blueprint drafts of how we think our lives should unfold. We carefully map out our timelines, hoping for a smooth path, and it is only natural to feel a bit lost or weary when a sudden storm alters our course or a door we prayed would open remains closed. Yet, our Lord does not stand at a distance during these moments of uncertainty; He is a tender Shepherd who walks beside us, gently whispering, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" ( Jeremiah 29:11). When our own plans crumble, it is not a sign that He has abandoned us, but rather an invitation to fold our hands, release our grip on the pen, and offer our own quiet fiat—letting Him guide us into green pastures we could never have found on our own. Placing our trust in His loving providence allows us to breathe deeply and find rest, even when the road ahead is shrouded in mist. E...
Post a Comment
Read more

Woman, Behold Your Son

The spiritual climax of the Gospel of John, as Father John Waiss points out, occurs at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus utters his parting words: “Woman, behold, your son!” and “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27). While these words were addressed to the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Church has long understood this moment as a universal adoption. To truly image Christ, we must share in His parentage; if we embrace God as our spiritual Father but reject Mary as our mother, we treat Christ as a half-brother rather than our "firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). As Origen noted as early as the third century, the profound depths of the Gospel are only accessible to those who, like John, rest their heads on Jesus’ breast and receive Mary into their own homes. This maternal role is deeply rooted in biblical typology, positioning Mary as the fulfillment of the great mothers of the Old Covenant. She is the New Eve , the mother of all the living according ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Praying With The Five Wounds Of Jesus

I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
Post a Comment
Read more