Gold, Silver, or Bronze?

[Miserissima]

(Moderator: please move if you think it is apropriate for this forum. - Mis)

I am really looking for a discussion over a quote I read in the book St. Anne: Grandmother of our Savior, by Frances Parkinson Keyes,1955. Nihil Obstat and Imprimateur included. I don’t ususally care for Keyes’ flowery language, but this book seems well researched and thoughtful. There is one passage from pages 31-32:

I shall never forget the good counsel once given me by a Mexican cleric, “We Catholics have two priceless treasures,” he reminded me, “a treasure of gold and a treasure of silver. Our treasure of gold lies in the Scriptures and Divine Tradition, on which the Church is founded; these we are bound to believe. Our treasure of silver lies in the popular traditions of , which we may accept or not, as we choose, but we are nearly always the happier for having done so.”

I know the unnamed cleric was specifically talking about the life of St. Anne, but I found that such a profound passage that I could not help but share.

But tell me, what is your opinion of the proverbial Gold, Silver, and Bronze?

Mine is:

**Gold **= the Sacraments

Silver = devotions such as the rosary, Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, et cetera.

But bronze (which the cleric doesn’t mention)? All I can think of is living a pious life in such a way that you can attract others to your goodness so they want to learn more, whether by discussion or even in admiration of your lifestyle.

Please tell me what you think the “bronze” could be (especially in your life, Catholic or not), thad the unnamed cleric omitted, other than refuting the misnformation found in Chick Tracts.

Please add your interpretations of the gold, silver, and especially the missing bronze reference. I really would like a discourse and to hear from you.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Perhaps the “bronze” could be us? The children of God… who aren’t quite pefected yet? (bronze isn’t as lusterous as gold); And hopefully, one day… in Heaven… after we’ve been “tried in the fire” we will resemble the Gold… the Living Word (aka Jesus, Our Lord). Just a thought.