One
of the greatest tragedies of modern Catholicism is that as Catholics we are no
longer considered a spiritual people (Matthew Kelly –
Rediscovering Catholicism). There are some who agree with the
famous meme in you tube some years ago about being spiritual and not religious.
That being spiritual can be achieved and that is the ultimate goal of our
life's journey. I believe that we can't be spiritual without being religious, while
I agree that we can be religious but not spiritual, another tragedy in the modern
day faith
Many
of us have forgotten that we are a communion of body and soul. That as the soul
yearns for God, the body finds a way to express that yearning and that is
expressed by our reverence and awe of what is beautiful, true and good, the
love of the sacraments and the exercise of the spiritual and corporal works of
mercy which now make us “religious.”
Modern man has always tried to find new ways and
means to improve our living. We have advanced in science and technology by
leaps and bounds and they are all good. This is a fulfilment of God’s mandate
to man when He says to Adam "Be fruitful and multiply,
and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over
the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Gen. 1:28.
We have become, as God has designed it: pro-creators. When you read the
creation story, from Genesis chapter 1 up to a few verses of chapter 2, you
will realize that God has created everything from nothing. Things and beings
come into existence with God just saying “let there be…..” However, as pro-creators,
we can also create something but only coming from what God has already created.
Chairs come from trees that God has caused into being. We can also notice that
other living creatures can create same as man. The difference is that they don’t
evolve. Birds 10,000 years ago still build their nest the same way they build
their nests now. While the materials maybe different but the technology has
remained the same. Unlike man (“people” as Justin T would correct me if he
reads this), we have improved our level of sophistication in creating things.
Buildings become taller and taller, aircrafts becoming more sophisticated,
medicines are discovered to cure where 100 years ago can’t be cured. And yet we
still create from something what God has blessed us with.
The good news is, when we pursue our side of getting or being spiritual,
we can turn to all proven ancient practices. We don’t need to “re-invent the
wheel” so we can find that right expression of our love for God. Early
Christians and modern day saints have one common denominator, their love of the
sacraments and the sacramentals. The Eucharist, regular confession and praying
the rosary and devotion to Blessed Mary. We can also grow by leaps and bounds
in our spirituality and reach that perfection and greatness God has called and
destined all of us.
To God be the Glory!
