Dear MariaChristi,
Another dish of solid food!
I was just wondering though about what constitutes coming under some of these names/titles/labels etc…I am strongly in favour of the style of this Pope, because, he challenges us, and obedience to the Pope and Magisteriurm is important; so. to be challenged further, with real vitality, I’d like to know the following (without naming names of people, of course).
One practical example of someone who is a “parlour room” Christian?
One practical example of a “business” Christian who use the Church?
One example of a “rigorist”?
One practical example of a person who is of the good kind?
I think I know the answers, but I wish to look at myself with a harsher critique first, in order to make changes, so would like practicle examples, that I can weed out the rubbish from my own existence that might be lurking there in my own understanding and living of the faith. I also think this is why the Pope says these things, so we can be challenged, as individuals.
The sermon is the first part for us. How do we apply this to our lives?
Dear friardchips and CountrySteve,
Thank you both for your replies. Yes, Pope Francis challenges us as lay persons as well as challenging his brother bishops, priests, deacons and religious to become as St. Augustine said “what we are”. We are baptized into Christ and called to live His Life and carry on His mission and so many of us fall short by our continual choosing of this world over God.
Since you asked for “practical examples” friardchips, I will offer some:
Someone who is a “parlour room” Christian - (I’m not sure of the translation but I’m assuming “parlour room” is a social gathering). This is who I am when I choose to please the people with whom I am associating rather than God. It can be at a party (Herod’s birthday?) or any type of gathering. I am known to be a Christian by name and will attest to the fact if asked, “Yes, I am Catholic” BUT and this is very important – do I shy away from stating unequivocally the Truth of Catholic teachings – particularly on moral issues? Do I keep silent for fear of offending someone(s) in the gathering. The Pope is asking clergy, religious and people to examine their consciences. Whom am I standing for, God or the world? (not naming names but the newspapers are quick to publicize some who are giving mixed messages) Am I indifferent to the poor and needy by frequenting only the gatherings of the rich? Am I only comfortable among those who have worldly things and am uncomfortable and avoid those who have little or nothing.
A “business” Christian who use the Church? - since I’m not in any business, but retired I need to examine the past and repent of those times when I may have “used” the Church to further my own ambition with others or who would support me as Christian. Today there are many whom the Pope has called out for being CEO’s rather than shepherds. Catholic Schools and hospitals need to examine their consciences on this issue. As a former teacher, I was saddened to see my own Alma Mater (not mentioning name) take a government grant and thus be willing to construct a new science building without any crucifixes in the classrooms. Mother Teresa of Calcutta had it right. She never took money from the government because it always came with strings attached. She relied on Divine Providence.
A “rigorist” - I think the Pope explained this pretty well - ""those whom Jesus rebukes, those who place such heavy weights on the backs of the people. Jesus devotes the whole of the 23rd chapter of St. Matthew to them: ‘Hypocrites,’ he says to them, ‘you exploit the people!’ And instead of responding to the cries of the people who cry out for salvation, they send them away.” These are modern day Pharisees. Those in the Church (CEO’s in positions of authority, clergy, religious and lay teachers) who “send away” those who are truly seeking the Truth of Jesus, by not feeding them God’s Word – like the Pharisees, they have no room for the Word themselves and so have only their own opinions and rules of their own making.
The good kind? - Ah, we look first to Jesus, then His Mother, St. Joseph and all the Saints. Those in the world today who are striving sincerely and humbly to follow Christ, by giving themselves completely to God are His Good Light shining. We need to examine our own lives: are we choosing to live as Jesus and His saints lived or are we striving to get more comfortable in and with this world and its values? We cannot serve two masters.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Purify our minds and hearts that we may know Your Truth, Love Your Truth, and Live Your Truth as Mary did in this world.
Mary, Mother of the Church, help us to carry Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, to all who need Him. Pray with all the saints and angels, with us and for us.
