This Really Disgusted Me

[mtr01]

Last night I attended a talk last night at my parish. One of the speaker was Steven Ray, and he made a point that really got me thinking about some of the threads and comments on this forum (and yes I’m guilty of this too). Basically he reminded us that the Church is the Bride of Christ (as if we didn’t know that). However, I think we might need to take a closer look at it. Remember Jesus loves his bride, and dispite all her faults and imperfections He still finds her beautiful.

I get the feeling that when we all start picking apart the imperfections of the Church, we are no better than those who are at the wedding feast, and looking at the bride say things like “I didn’t realize how fat she is”, “look at the huge nose on her”, or “man is she ugly”. I think maybe we should think a little about how we would feel if someone said that about our spouse, and realize perhaps it’s not that dissimilar for our Lord.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t try to help the bride improve herself, and fix things that are wrong. However, we should be doing it in a spirit that builds up the bride, not one that tears her down.

 

[mercygate]

This is why the only reform in the Church that matters is the one that begins within my own heart.

 

[Mysty101]

Agreed,

Jesus did give the authority to the Apostles, and their successors, and we are to respect and obey them whether or not we agree.

 

[Mysty101]

mtr01:

Last night I attended a talk last night at my parish. One of the speaker was Steven Ray, and he made a point that really got me thinking about some of the threads and comments on this forum (and yes I’m guilty of this too). Basically he reminded us that the Church is the Bride of Christ (as if we didn’t know that). However, I think we might need to take a closer look at it. Remember Jesus loves his bride, and dispite all her faults and imperfections He still finds her beautiful.

I get the feeling that when we all start picking apart the imperfections of the Church, we are no better than those who are at the wedding feast, and looking at the bride say things like “I didn’t realize how fat she is”, “look at the huge nose on her”, or “man is she ugly”. I think maybe we should think a little about how we would feel if someone said that about our spouse, and realize perhaps it’s not that dissimilar for our Lord.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t try to help the bride improve herself, and fix things that are wrong. However, we should be doing it in a spirit that builds up the bride, not one that tears her down.

Agreed,

Jesus did give the authority to the Apostles, and their successors, and we are to respect and obey them whether or not we agree.

 

[mtr01]

Oops, for the record, I don’t know how this thread got the title it has. The site took a long time posting it, and I think this was the title of a previous thread I started. It should read “The Church - The Bride of Christ”. Just to clarify, the talk didn’t disgust me. I wouldn’t say the comments disgust me either, although it is frustrating to see Catholic bicker so.

I’ll ask the administrator to change the title…

 

[Mysty101]

AHA—that title did seem odd.

And yes, the bickering is upsetting, but I find people putting their own will and ideas over that of their shepherd even more distressing.

 

[Anne]

mtr01:

Last night I attended a talk last night at my parish. One of the speaker was Steven Ray, and he made a point that really got me thinking about some of the threads and comments on this forum (and yes I’m guilty of this too). Basically he reminded us that the Church is the Bride of Christ (as if we didn’t know that). However, I think we might need to take a closer look at it. Remember Jesus loves his bride, and dispite all her faults and imperfections He still finds her beautiful.

I get the feeling that when we all start picking apart the imperfections of the Church, we are no better than those who are at the wedding feast, and looking at the bride say things like “I didn’t realize how fat she is”, “look at the huge nose on her”, or “man is she ugly”. I think maybe we should think a little about how we would feel if someone said that about our spouse, and realize perhaps it’s not that dissimilar for our Lord.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t try to help the bride improve herself, and fix things that are wrong. However, we should be doing it in a spirit that builds up the bride, not one that tears her down.

You were lucky to hear Steve Ray. I have several books of his. He is awesome.

 

[mtr01]

Anne:

You were lucky to hear Steve Ray. I have several books of his. He is awesome.

I do consider myself fortunate. He was speaking at a men’s group conference today (which I was unable to attend) and we were able to talk him into speaking at our parish beforehand. We also got to hear talks from Danny Abramowicz, the former NFL player, and Fr. Phil Merdinger from the Brotherhood of Hope.

As evidenced from this thread, though, I was especially touched by Ray’s discussion of the Bride (which was also complemented by Fr, Phil’s talk on re-evangelization). I don’t think any of us will accomplish any renewal or reform by constantly picking the Church apart, based on our preferences - either traditional or modernist. If we can build up the Church, there will be room for all of us.