Seeking Redemption

Which of us has never strayed from the path of righteousness?

Silly question really. Those who insist there is no sin in them must be in the situation of not seeing the wood for the trees. They’re so surrounded by it, that they don’t recognise it for what it is anymore. That seems to be the face of 21st century society in general.

Recently, several protestants have vehemently criticised the sacrament of reconciliation. They have all been washed in the blood of the lamb, and sure as hell don’t need some old priest to grant them absolution.

While I understand their arguments, I cannot agree. To say I have been justified by faith alone is a chimera, and a dangerous one at that. The problems with such anti-catholic teaching is laid out quite eloquently in James Hogg’s “Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner”

If we are elect, and then stumble and go on a murderous rampage, what does that have to say. No, justification by faith and not by works is a dangerous mistake to fall into. Moreover, it is quite unbiblical (see the end verses of James chapter 2…)

The point is that faith is a relationship. It is not simply a one off moment at our conversion, when from that moment on we have been redeemed and it is all good with the Lord. It requires coming to terms with the situation when we fail the relationship, and admitting openly our shortcomings, and most importantly, making amends and finding ways to avoid the situation in the future.

I think possibly an outdated image of confession doesn’t help with various prejudices and issues. For me confession isn’t about turning up with all my dodgy wrongdoings and pouring my heart out to some old bloke for his voyeuristic pleasure as some people seem to think it’s about.

For me it’s about getting right with my brothers and sisters in the Lord by bringing the damaging sin which I have committed, before a leader in our church community. It is a two way thing too- the priest often asks us to go away and pray for him too- a sinner- just like us.

It is about seeking strength and mutual support in our weakness, and together being able to defeat sin. It is also about counselling- receiving wisdom from a wiser person in how to avoid such sin in the future. It is about speaking with the heart between the priest and the person confessing, and all in the presence of God.

Although this will not provide for most protestants every answer they would like to hear regarding confession, my last point would be most simply- it is as it is. We have our strange customs and traditions. There is reasoning behind them, even if you are disinclined to agree with it.

We all have to come to terms with our sin though. It’s your own personal choice how you go about it.

Continuing the Pilgrimage

The Pope’s visit has been interesting to say the least. A week ago, the media, (especially the newspapers) were having to look to revise the opinions that they had expressed during the run up to the visit.

Not only were the crowds of supporters much larger than the small bunch of protestors, but the crowd was larger than even the organisers had been expecting.

Clearly whatever aims the gutter press had in sabotaging the affair, the whole thing backfired spectacularly. Indeed, the streams of vitriol and invective from ‘celebrities’, such as Stephen Fry, or Richard Dawkins and characters such as Peter Tatchell, were one of the main reasons that I seriously re-examined my faith and came to the decision that I had to become proud of my faith once more, and leave the secular mindset that has been like a drugged up stupor for me for longer than I care to recall…

What after all is there to be ashamed about in my faith?

As Patrick West (an atheist incidentally) notes in the comment section of the Catholic Herald this week, while the hatred and bile being spewed out by the ‘celebrities’ and media will simply deter people and make enemies, at the same time, a man of profound prayer and humility like Pope Benedict is clearly much more likeable, and likely to win in the whole ‘hearts and minds’ stake.

This visit has clearly affected a great many people in a similar way to me. Non-Catholics, lapsed Catholics, catholics (with a small ‘c’) and even practicing Catholics have been encouraged to continue their pilgrimage in the faith, with new profundity, new spirituality, and a deeper reverence.

My earnest hope and prayer is that there will be a real spiritual renewal, not just for myself, but for everyone who has been touched by the Pope’s visit.

May we persevere in our pilgrimage of faith together, supported by prayer and our mutual love for one another- members of the same family, the same body…One in Christ

Yours

Thomas

Starting all over again…

Many of you will be aware that this is not the first blog to go by this name. This blog’s predecessor was probably quite notorious for it’s less than impartial content, (at times) offensive nature, and generally negative tone.

Whereas this may have been the order of the day some years back, several transformative experiences have occurred in my life. Firstly, I have been on a year abroad in France, teaching. This time for me was of great change and personal growth. I learnt more about myself than I thought possible. I discovered a passion for working with people and teaching.

Also, quite importantly, I have been through a series of relationships that have changed my perception of a great many things. I have loved and been loved, and I have lost. Through all this uncertainty I have always been aware of the presence of God, looking over me. When I have felt lonely and unloved, I have been reminded that not only are there are a great many people who love me, but that there is a force- a silent presence that is love itself, looking over me and caring for me. The outcome of all this uncertainty and difficulty though has encouraged me to think again about what I want to be, and who I want to be with.

Change is though, an ongoing process, and what happens I would leave in God’s hands.

After all, what more can we do when facing the vastness of the eternal, than place it all before that power and know that all things are ordained by that mighty hand.

All that it is necessary is for us to simply be.

 

In Christ,

Thomas