What’s better than orthodoxy? JOYFUL orthodoxy! Here’s an audio snip I enjoyed from the recent Calling all Catholics show.
[podcast]http://ben.cleansingfire.org/audio/mayer_miller.mp3[/podcast]
[if you don’t see an audio player and you’re on the site, click the article title “Joyful Orthodoxy” link]
I will concur with what Justin Miller said that there ARE good Catholic groups in Rochester (eg the St. Titus Fellowship he mentioned). They might be more difficult to find than the bad Catholic groups, but they do exist and are waiting for you. If you are not involved – get involved. Don’t let negativity bring you down. If you decide to stay in an unorthodox parish or group to battle for Our Lord remember to rejoice in your sufferings (see the CF banner above). If your parish community continuously brings you down – leave. There is nothing un-Catholic about wiping the dust from your sandals and moving on. If this blog is your only connection to the Catholic community besides mass attendance, step away from the keyboard and seek out some orthodox companions.
And remember – contrary to popular opinion, progressives and liberals do not have a trademark on smiling 🙂
photo credit: Charlie P Clark
Disclaimer: I am NOT endorsing the false stereotype that orthodox Catholics don’t smile enough and are angry and bitter. I think it’s just good to remind ourselves to be joyful and encourage each other from time to time.
Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
If you’re looking for a group or a parish, find one you can trust and that won’t be at odds with Church teaching. A very legitimate question should be, “Do you follow Magisterial teaching?” There is nothing in the world wrong with asking such a question. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also interact with people who have differing world views. That’s also important. But having close connections with other orthodox Catholics is much more important.
Somewhat related, I was listening to Dr. Paul Kengor on the 6/17 show of Catholic Answers Live and he fielded a question in which the caller asserted that a professor from Grove City College said, “at no point in scripture did Christ actually identify himself as God.” Dr. Kengor didn’t respond by saying, “hmmm, well the thing is this” or “we have room for lots of opinions here” or “I can’t possibly know what the other professors are teaching”. He had enough confidence in his colleagues to take the caller on directly and said, “Believe me, believe me – it definitely wasn’t here. No way – not here!”
[podcast]http://ben.cleansingfire.org/audio/kengor_gcc_orthodoxy.mp3[/podcast]
[if you don’t see an audio player and you’re on the site, click the article title “Joyful Orthodoxy” link]
note: Grove City College is a protestant college and I’m not saying their orthodoxy is the same as our orthodoxy, but the point is that it is quite possible the weed out dissenting opinions and actually have some confidence in your organization. Pray that one day a bishop of Rochester would be able to answer a question with such certainty.
Tags: Audio, Orthodoxy at Work
|
Would it not be wonderful if everyone reading this article would respond with the name of a local religious group engaging in spiritual presentations and other sundry devotional programs that are available to people not only concerned with their religious development but also their spiritual development!! We would end up with a list that is comprehensive and helpful.