Jonathon and I were discussing this morning in our Exodus group chat some of the themes of mission. I made the point that our era is different than the Apostolic Era, so even championing that era can be, so to speak, falling into perhaps antiquarianism a longing for some sort of previous golden age.
The early Christians had an advantage that we do not in our own period. Christianity, in some sense, was an upstart--it was new and exciting that differed from both paganism and Judaism. One of the major issues today is that, especially in the West, is that Christianity is viewed as old and familiar regardless if people actually are familiar with it.
Our time is different and unique in Christian history, and God has willed us to be here in this moment.
May 19, 2022Liked by Phillip Hadden, Jonathon Fessenden
One of the fallacies of Modernism is that the "royal me" has power and authority--this is my understanding of the heresy of Americanism. We have this belief that if we speak loud enough, fight hard enough, we can change things. One of the things "Christendom" requires that any kingdom requires is humility on the part of the subjects. Christendom is not a democracy, I owe a duty of obedience to the Church.
Fulton Sheen also said that the Church dies and is resurrected every 500 years or so. I make no comment on if this is part of that 500 year cycle but I do recognize that hope in the resurrection includes hope in the resurrection and revitalization of the Church.
Some in the "rad trad" scene have a "rigidity" that seems to me to be pharisaical, and in some senses disobedient to the Church. Even if some people don't like the Novus Ordo liturgy (the opinion is allowed), it is still a valid Mass, which is the more important quality. Humility means we don't get to decide what is the best way of doing things--we just have to live our lives as good Catholics and avoid being so entrenched in our position that it seems schismatical.
Jonathon and I were discussing this morning in our Exodus group chat some of the themes of mission. I made the point that our era is different than the Apostolic Era, so even championing that era can be, so to speak, falling into perhaps antiquarianism a longing for some sort of previous golden age.
The early Christians had an advantage that we do not in our own period. Christianity, in some sense, was an upstart--it was new and exciting that differed from both paganism and Judaism. One of the major issues today is that, especially in the West, is that Christianity is viewed as old and familiar regardless if people actually are familiar with it.
Our time is different and unique in Christian history, and God has willed us to be here in this moment.
One of the fallacies of Modernism is that the "royal me" has power and authority--this is my understanding of the heresy of Americanism. We have this belief that if we speak loud enough, fight hard enough, we can change things. One of the things "Christendom" requires that any kingdom requires is humility on the part of the subjects. Christendom is not a democracy, I owe a duty of obedience to the Church.
Fulton Sheen also said that the Church dies and is resurrected every 500 years or so. I make no comment on if this is part of that 500 year cycle but I do recognize that hope in the resurrection includes hope in the resurrection and revitalization of the Church.
Some in the "rad trad" scene have a "rigidity" that seems to me to be pharisaical, and in some senses disobedient to the Church. Even if some people don't like the Novus Ordo liturgy (the opinion is allowed), it is still a valid Mass, which is the more important quality. Humility means we don't get to decide what is the best way of doing things--we just have to live our lives as good Catholics and avoid being so entrenched in our position that it seems schismatical.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay, God bless!
Fr Chris, Great article! You are spot on. Our archdiocese will be having a synod on Pentecost and I hope my husband brings your article to share.