The credibility of the Christian message would be much
greater if Christians could overcome their divisions and
the Church could realize “the fullness of catholicity proper
to her in those of her children who, though joined to her
by baptism, are yet separated from full communion with
her.” We must never forget that we are pilgrims journeying
alongside one another. This means that we must have
sincere trust in our fellow pilgrims, putting aside all
suspicion or mistrust, and turn our gaze to what we are all
seeking: the radiant peace of God’s face.
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 244
ReplyDeletethat's a nice message it would be great if people would get it I wonder how many "not" or "not quite" catholics have read EG or how deep into the collective soul of Christianity this went...my doubting side tells me - not very deep - not very wide -- barely noticed by the vast multitude of Christians outside the catholic church door....maybe even fell on more than a few catholic deaf ears
it's important to state ideals
and this is a good ideal as far as it goes
somehow I'm always struck in the face with the real
I'm convinced that Christianity would have far more credibility in the world if doctrinal and practical differences could be put aside
the offer has been part of the dialectic from the very early stages of reformation
I guess I perceive what I would call a deformation
and a rather adamant insistence that it is a form of truth
or must be by all accounts accepted as equal along the way
the holy spirit must be in stiches over it all
come along Christians
the train is leaving the station
pope francis is the conductor
toot toot
hop on board
:)
I am surprised to hear you come out in favor of putting doctrinal and practical differences aside. I think that's what I was doing when I entered RCIA. That is also why I express my process as one of reconciliation rather than conversion. But when I try to express it this way, it seems that the message I get from Catholics is that our differences really matter to them quite a lot, and that if I am willing to put them aside without calling myself a convert, then that must mean that I don't understand the differences or am ignoring or dismissing them.
ReplyDeleteClearly you and I have both experienced rejection, indifference, skepticism, and misunderstanding from Christians from traditions other than our own. This is indeed the reality. I agree that it is difficult to establish sincere trust in fellow pilgrims who have hurt us. Yet I remain committed to that task of learning to understand and respect my fellow pilgrims, to the extent that I am able, allowing that there may be times when it is necessary to retreat for a time to find healing for wounds suffered in the effort of reconciliation.