Are you liberal or conservative?
The trick is to be neither!
That’s what Fr. Barron talks about in the video below.
Excess conservatism stagnates the Church. It makes the Church and her doctrine a museum piece–something placed under glass that’s only meant to be stared at and admired. That’s not useful!
The Church’s doctrine is actually alive and active. It doesn’t change. It develops and grows. The understanding and application of doctrine adapts to meet the needs of the times. In this way it’s eminently practical and always useful to disciples of every age.
In that same effort to speak to the times, one-sided liberalism seeks to embrace change as well. However, it does so to the detriment of what came before.
The problem with over liberalization, Fr. Barron says, is the Church looses it’s structure and it’s purpose. In an effort to adapt to the times and meet the needs of contemporary members, the core of what holds the Church together is lost.
Authentic development and renewal works from what’s there, it doesn’t discard the foundational principles.
The Church is like a garden Fr. Barron says in the video playing off of Blessed John XXIII. It’s alive, it’s unfolding. However, the structure needs to be maintained, guarded, weeded, and cared for.
http://youtu.be/C66so7BXhL8
Catechetical takeaway
That’s why it’s important in catechesis to teach what the Church teaches. Only deal in the facts. Don’t get into current debate or issues of controversy. Don’t teach private revelation either. Teach what the Church teaches.
The real truth of Catholicism is deeper than the liberal-conservative debate. As Fr. Barron states, in the deep places of dogma, liturgy, practice…you find a common ground.
These deep places are the structure of the Church. This is what we seek to pass on as catechists. It’s universal and it’s timeless. As such, it’s applicable in every age.
What about you? Are you passing on the structure of the Church? Could you do better?
Tell me about your experience with this in the comments.
Marc,
Love this post.
I am a lifelong Reagan Republican, but as I grow older, I realize that Catholics (or any other Christians) need to be very cautious about overly identifying with any political party or term like “conservative” or “liberal.” It forces us to be pigeon-holed in a way I think Christ never intended.
I often find myself thinking, “Wow, wouldn’t it be great to be part of a political party that had an incredible stance on objective moral values and pro-life issues (typically associated with conservatives) AND a zeal for social justice and concern for the poor (typically associated with liberals)??!
Then I think: Oh wait. There IS such a “party.”
It’s called the Catholic Church.
So glad I swam the Tiber. Rome sweet home!
You know, my wife and I often say the exact same thing! We identify more with the social justice concerns normally associated with liberals but want the pro-life stance that’s usually associated with conservatives. It’s like we have a foot in both camps. It doesn’t make sense until you look at it through the lens of the Catholic Church. Like everything else in my life, the Church is the great roadmap for life that allows me to perfectly navigate between two seemingly opposite viewpoints…but really only opposed in the secular political arena. I find the Church has a way of navigating all difficulties like this great success.
Thanks for commenting.
Good stuff brother. One of our basic needs as humans is security. Group think offers us that. Its less risky and feels much less vulnerable to stand among like minded others–even more when we can label it w/ “conservative” or “liberal” … Or “tea” for that matter. Yet Christ upset everyone’s applecart by standing in the periphery saying little, but doing much. Great saints such as frabcis, kolbe, and soon to be teresa of calcutta did much the same. I think we know when we’re there because we’ll feel much less “right” and much more vulnerable.
Yeah, I think you’re right. It’s even harder to stand out as Catholic because that’s not accepted as a legitimate position in the political realm. But I guess we’re sort of always going to be counter cultural as Catholics. We stand for things that don’t make sense to the rest of the world…like Jesus!
Thanks for the comments!
Amen! I am a bleeding-heart, Pro-Life, Liberal… who believes in small government. Sigh.
Yes, it’s quite a stance! Although, from the comments I’m seeing that we’re not alone! Especially among Catholics. Nice to see.
Love it. A church/community of believers you can’t put in a box. Why do we want to draw lines/boundaries around each other so badly anyway? What kind of body of Christ is that? I love the idea of sticking to teaching what the church teaches! I’ve never used Scripture or the Catechism in the classroom so much (textbook less) and it’s my best year yet.
Wow, that’s great to hear that you’re having your best year yet and that the Catechism and Bible are working so well for you. So glad to hear it!
My guess is the boundaries and groupings make us feel more comfortable about our own positions. It’s easier to make a decision on something if you know you’re not the only one. There’s strength (and comfort) in numbers. But you’re right, that fractures the Body of Christ doesn’t it?