Jan
21
Becoming a “Crunchy Catholic”
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That’s because Crunchy Catholicism holds that Church teachings are a true (if imperfect, for we do not yet see “face to face”) statement about the way things are. Thus they’re non-negotiable and impervious to our feelings. Thus the distinctions the Church makes are not merely an academic or bureaucratic exercise, or at best an attempt to wrestle with the ineffable by distant analogy, but a means of ordering — and sorting out the consequences of — real truths. Crunchy Catholicism recognizes that we Catholics are cooking with gas, practicing with live ammo, firing on twelve cylinders. One second, wafer; next second, Eternal Master of the universe. No qualification needed — or possible.
While I have great respect for all those who’s faith differs from mine, I have a great deal of concern about those who claim to be fellow Catholics but don’t seem to be living the faith. You either are, or you’re not. Pick one.
This is not to say that I’m a wonderful servant of God who has earned “well done, good and faithful servant”. Far from it. In fact, I cringe when I think of how often I have fallen away from even some of the simplest things God wishes me to do. But, as always, I pick myself up, get on my knees and crave pardon, and know that God will help me. But errors aside, I do hold to the truth of Catholic teaching – all down the line and to the very last detail.
It is time for all of us to choose – pick our ground and stand upon it. Its ok to be different – not ok to refuse to take a stand. I’m taking mine – Catholic by birth, baptism and the grace of God – and that is what I stand for.
