Friday, October 4, 2013

Discernable truths


Matthew 11:25-30

             My current read is American Savage. In the first chapter he speaks about things people know that are instinctively wrong with the Catholic Church and so people make their own decisions and follow their own conscience. Birth control has been the most notable example of this over the years. Everyone knows the church's rules, position, doctrine or whatever in regards to birth control and that it is all screwed up. People know it and they act accordingly. No one asks questions about a 40sh year old couple with 2 kids about why they don't have 7 kids. It's the original don't  ask, don't tell. 

              Yes, for all the excruciating logic, "tradition" and rationalizations, most people know the truth. Basically, somehow, God has hidden enormous number of truths from "the Church" (hierarchy) that regular old "infant" people understand. From birth control to the fact that an "annulment" is really a divorce, people know instinctively what the truth is. No amount of BS will change that. However, most matters of  'doctrinal dissent' are not obvious. You are not polled at the church door if you are divorced and remarried. You are not asked about what form of birth control you may or may not be practicing. 

             There is an issue though that is in your face and is fairly obvious. When a gay man or woman comes to church it should not be an issue according the churchs' very own catechism, and yet it is. The real trouble begins (for the church that is) when you choose to love another human being. In this case you are anathema. In this particular instance the worst scenario is automatically assumed. You are automatically assumed to be having any and every kind of sex and you are not welcome. It  is truly a double standard. No one else is assumed to be doing the worst of anything. And yet gays are. But hey, loving someone should not be bad in the first place. If you find someone that you love and that loves you, isn't that a blessing?  The problem for the church here, like birth control, annulments and a whole range of issues is that the people in the pews see the truth. Most people know loving gay committed couples. We live the same mundane lives that most people live from work and mowing lawns to paying taxes and going to the movies on a Saturday night.  The sex is much better than most so maybe it's all about jealousy?

               It does seem interesting how this passage plays out in the life of "the Church".  Those Catholics are funny. The Hierarchy says one thing, the people in the pews know another and do what they know is right and just. That is because the truth is hidden from the so called wise and intelligent.  It seems if you have to try too hard to convince people something is right or have to use convoluted arguments - you are actually and most probably wrong.

              Truths are usually easily discernible because love is simple and pure. And love is what  truly matters.

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

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