Some (perhaps less than random) observations
I think (emphasis on the word think) that I may have come up with a reason why people, especially today, seem to avoid living a religious life. By "religious," I simply mean one where God and their faith is put as first priority. Previously we may have thought that it was because of simple laziness and apathy. Really, though, I personally think it's a different emotion, but one that has the same effect as laziness in that it keeps people from acting. That emotion is fear. And like many fears, it's pretty irrational.
I think people probably freak out over the supposed austerity of religious life. They think "religion" (specifically, "Catholicism") and they think of dark convents with brick walls and scratchy bedsheets; with sour-faced, middle-aged women skulking around in tasteless black and white clothing. Or they think solemn vigils in which people kneel before a somber, grim crucifix, fingering Rosary beads and muttering the Hail Mary like one would mutter some sort of magic spell. Or they think of preachers behind a podium, swinging their arms out to indicate the width of the unquenchable fire that will consume us all. Scary stuff!
What these poor blokes don't realize is that while these images may be true for some unfortunate people, it really isn't what religion, or at least Christianity, is all about. They are taking the supposed "bad things" about religion and blowing them out of proportion.
At it's core, Christianity is a joyful religion! What? Joyful? You crazy, foo'? You think fasting and having to go to Church and not being able to sin (gaaack!) is joyful?
To an extent, yup, that's exactly how I see it.
In order to understand what I'm talking about, you have to do/take into account a number of things:
*By the way, that isn't just referring to Heaven. We'll get real happiness, peace and joy in this life, too. Dead serious. And something else I've observed: if we get in the habit of putting our lives inGod's hands, He will often make things work out well for us, not only spiritually but often in worldly terms, as well (as long as it's good for us, of course). Isn't that groovy? Why wait?
I think people probably freak out over the supposed austerity of religious life. They think "religion" (specifically, "Catholicism") and they think of dark convents with brick walls and scratchy bedsheets; with sour-faced, middle-aged women skulking around in tasteless black and white clothing. Or they think solemn vigils in which people kneel before a somber, grim crucifix, fingering Rosary beads and muttering the Hail Mary like one would mutter some sort of magic spell. Or they think of preachers behind a podium, swinging their arms out to indicate the width of the unquenchable fire that will consume us all. Scary stuff!
What these poor blokes don't realize is that while these images may be true for some unfortunate people, it really isn't what religion, or at least Christianity, is all about. They are taking the supposed "bad things" about religion and blowing them out of proportion.
At it's core, Christianity is a joyful religion! What? Joyful? You crazy, foo'? You think fasting and having to go to Church and not being able to sin (gaaack!) is joyful?
To an extent, yup, that's exactly how I see it.
In order to understand what I'm talking about, you have to do/take into account a number of things:
- Parts of what God asks of us can be scary. I'm sure we all have personal examples of this; I know I do. The thing is, if we have the guts to at least try and do what we know we should do, we will win a huge victory: one over ourselves. We will free ourselves, ultimately, if we take that plunge. Whatever evil in our lives is holding us down, if we follow God's prompting and attempt to get rid of it, we will actually feel good. We will be that much more free.
- All the fasting and other nasty-wasty disciplines really aren't such a big part of Christianity; apart from Lent and Fridays, as far as I know, God (through the Church) requires nothing more from us in the way of voluntary self-discipline. That doesn't mean it's not necessary; sometimes voluntarily choosing to let go of the pleasures, comforts, and ego-boosts of this world is extremely good for us. The thing to remember is this: moderation in everything. And also remember this, taken from a quote by Someone (isn't that informative?): Obedience is greater than sacrifice. Which leads me to another point
- The best thing we could possibly seek is to unite our wills to God's. That's actually simpler than it sounds. I've personally narrowed it down to three things: we follow God's commandments, we do our best to act in charity to all people, and we peacefully accept everything that happens to us. Whether an event is good or bad, we will accept it with joy because it came from God, and that can only mean one thing: It is the absolute best thing we could possibly have. Snazzy, no?
- Lastly, you have to know this: You cannot really understand what I'm talking about unless you really try it, and I mean try it. God promises us all peace and joy* if we just take up our crosses and follow Him. To take up our cross doesn't mean to throw everything away and go live like hermits in the Himalayas. It simply means to let ourselves and our desires go, to let them go so that we can purge the evil from our lives and accept God's will.
*By the way, that isn't just referring to Heaven. We'll get real happiness, peace and joy in this life, too. Dead serious. And something else I've observed: if we get in the habit of putting our lives inGod's hands, He will often make things work out well for us, not only spiritually but often in worldly terms, as well (as long as it's good for us, of course). Isn't that groovy? Why wait?
posted by James at
4:20 PM
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