A lesson in Latin
Catholic rant follows, you've been warned.
One of the problems with reentering the Catholic Church has been the knowledge that it's a package deal, if I'm going to do it right I have to accept everything the Church teaches and not pick and choose what might be comfycozy for me.
Some of the stuff I wrestle with and need guidance when it would seem to be cut and dry, an example being my decision to raise my kids in the War Department's faith (Methodist) vice Catholicism. We went to my priest when this subject came up and his advice to me was to be the best Catholic I can, the implication being that I can't worry about someone else's soul when I have so much work to do on my own.
That resonated with me because as a recovering alcoholic I had something of the same experience. When you initially join AA it isn't uncommon for the newly sober to be on fire and want to save the whole drinking world before he has a good grasp on sobriety himself. More often than not a newly sober member who ignores all advice to take care of himself first will soon find himself on a barstool. You can't give away what you yourself don't have. So since I'm still newly Catholic and the WD is a much better example of what a Christian is than I, it only makes sense for the kids to follow her lead. That seemed to be what my priest was saying.
Anyway, it's tough going sometimes when you try walking the straight and narrow. On topics such as abortion I have no such problem though and always am puzzled by those "devout" Catholics who opt for "a woman's right to choose".
Evidently I'm not the only one, this guy have a great take on the subject.
2 comments:
SubVet--
When I came back to the Church, I was faced wit three adult daughters who don't go. Who didn't even like the Church. One of whom was overtly hostile to the Church and Christianity.
I got so much work to do on me. Like you I got substance issues--not alcohol (which I ma very careful with! I wouldn't want to do all this work on drugs, just to let my self slide into being a rummy!), but drugs. As well as problems with prmiscuity, etc.
But over the last couple of years, my kids now go to Mass, at least occasionally. My last single daughter is getting Married--in the Church.
The best religious upbringing we can give our kids, is to live our religion. Other wise, well, offspring have the worlds best bull shit detectors!
Ignorant Redneck, thanks for sharing that. I often find myself impatient with the "holier-than-thou" types that would come down with both feet on you or I for not being "Catholic enough". Screw em!
As you say, our kids have great bullshit detectors and will spot a phony from a mile away. Best we can do is walk the walk.
Thanks again.
Post a Comment