How Convenient
Sorry for the delay, but here we are, fresh and better than ever.As I was munching down on my microwavable breakfast this morning, the thought occurred to me that so many of the things we use and buy on a daily basis are designed for more convenience. Why cook when you can microwave something? Why microwave something when you can get fast food on the way to work? Why breathe when they have machines that can do it for you?
This got me thinking about spirituality, especially since it was past time to update this blog. I wondered how often we let convenience get in the way of religion. There are so many levels on this one, I'll just have to pick a few. There's the obvious laziness of it being more convenient to just do whatever you feel like. If that's your perspective, nothing I write here will matter to you so we'll just ignore that one. Then there are the people who claim to believe, but only when it's convenient. I'm thinking about those who changed churches, or who are searching for a church that closely matches what they already believe. For some, this may seem like the natural way to choose, but what are they really looking for? The truth or validation? Why profess a faith just because it doesn't disagree too much with what you already believe?
Faith isn't supposed to be easy. Going back to the Bible, Jesus promises a lot of things to people who believe in him, but comfort level is not one of them. We sang a song at Mass last week with a line that said "So lead me past emotion, 'cause they change with the wind." That probably says better what I've been getting at. This was one thing that really bothered me about the interval after John Paul's death but before Benedict was elected pope. So many American Catholics treated the post like a political office. If that doesnt frighten you, think about some of the politicians we've elected. Polls showed that many American Catholics wanted the new pope to make changes to Catholic teachings in areas such as birth control; they wanted their lives to be more convenient, whether there was a spiritual justification for the inconvenience or not. People, he's the pope. He's not going to reverse 2000 years of history and teachings just because liberal American Catholics want more convenience in their lives. Politics or emotions change with the times. Look at the 60s compared to the 80s to now. The Church is not about all that. Religion should be about something bigger, more important. If it isn't, then why bother having it at all?
posted by Dennis @ 12:15 PM
2 Comments:
I’d be interested in hearing said liberal friend’s comments on this subject matter.
Of course, I’m interested in hearing everyone’s comments. My thoughts, of course, are colored by my own faith. While I’m not Catholic, I am a Christian. And I agree… if my faith is something that can be changed because of someone in a new office, what kind of faith is that? My faith is based on Jesus, not the pope or my pastor or my best friend (though those people may influence and educate me).
"Religion should be about something bigger, more important. If it isn't, then why bother having it at all?"
This thought is incredibly profound. I agree. I also think that there is a difference in being religious and being a Christian. You're right though, religion isn't always convenient...
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