Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Habemus Papam!

Pope Francis I
Raised as I was in the Catholic Church, the Papacy has always had a bit of a mythical air to it for me.  And though I have worshiped primarily in Protestant churches of one stripe or another for most of the last twenty years, in my heart, I remain--and always will be--a Roman Catholic.

Catholicism for me goes like this:  1.  Here are The Rules.  We believe them to be The Truth.  2.  Belief is your choice--that is what free will is all about. 3.  We will not change The Rules because man is sinful.  4.  Take it or leave it.

I've always liked that.  I have lived a life that falls far short of Catholic teaching, and I disregard some of the Faith's most dearly held tenets.  This is not however, because there is something wrong with the Church--it is because there is something wrong with ME.  I am the sinner.  I do not confuse my sin with righteous conduct, while pointing fingers back at a Church that must "reform". The Church teaches The Truth.  I disregard it, I take my chance with eternal life or eternal damnation.

That this Faith is headed by a man whose every day is dedicated to praying for all the rest of us is just icing on the cake.

Viva il Papa!

5 comments:

  1. Excellent confession.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We do no rifle with he Society of Jesus. Not at all, not one little bit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Refreshing commentary, sir.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Few things irritate me as much as the notion that all standards must be lowered to match our own waning enthusiasm for meeting them. Your commentary is refreshing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amen brother.

    ReplyDelete