Catholic but Not

Half a century ago there was a movie titled The Gay Divorcee’. Most moderns would think that a logical situation; but back then it had entirely different meaning than today. Zorro could be a gay blade while still remaining macho, couples could have a gay night out on the town without fear of AIDS and a divorcee could be gay rather than morose. Words are funny like that. With that in mind, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am a Catholic Christian.

For me to admit such is to take two rather large steps of faith. First of all, I tend to resist defining myself as Christian altogether because of the negative social implications in the label. The Christian moniker was originally a term of derision dumped on the Followers of the Way of Jesus by their enemies. Historically, Christians have been a political power to be feared and avoided. To announce, "the Christians are coming" was enough to cause the locals to flee into the hills. However, that is not the point of this essay. I want to focus on why I am now willing to admit to being Catholic in my faith.

The adjective, catholic, is Latin in derivation and simply means universal, all encompassing, of one body. That is why the Roman Catholic Church likes to call itself that, but that’s not what I am referring to. The Roman Catholic Church, despite its deepest efforts, has lost mass throughout the ages and, as such, is just one more entree upon the menu of Christianity; although menu is probably a bad metaphor, since it implies a choice is to be made. In this, Roman Catholicism is much like the other mainstream denominations in that most of its adherents are "born into their faith" rather than having made an individual selection. That’s where my concept of Catholicism comes into play.

I have been one of the fortunate few to be born a free agent. Dad didn’t believe in church, and Ma refused to go alone; but they figured I needed some sort of religion, so I’d get dropped off and left at whatever building was closest. Or I’d get send off with the neighbors when they were so inclined. Where most seem to have been born to a particular entrée, I was born to a buffet. As such, I’ve developed quite a discerning palate.

In a recently published essay, "Where Is the True Church of God?" I wrote out how I believe the Spiritual Body of Christ does not reside in an edifice, fashioned of brick and mortar or legal documents. One does not "go to church," one is of the Church. As such, true followers of Jesus Christ are of all denominations and of none at all. Those who "do the will of the Father" are of Christ. Conversely, Jesus said of those who portrayed themselves as having "done great works in His name" as being strangers to Him.

Now, I’ll take this one step further and show why I am now ready to admit to being Catholic in my faith for Jesus. I don’t believe God is limited. In the old days, God was pictured as an angry bearded old white guy living just beyond the clouds. The Sun, like the rest of the universe, revolved about the flat Earth. After all, hadn’t Joshua commanded the Sun to stand still in the sky? Hell was where the devil lurked down below tormenting the souls of those who had chosen their evil ways. Disease was an affliction brought by God upon mankind and whirlwinds and lightning bolts where the touch of his finger upon a world deserving of death or worse.

Today, we are discovering how everything we are is set up by our genetic coding and reinforced by the society in which we are raised. God is far greater than the ancients ever imagined with his creation flung far beyond the reach of our scientific tools. As such, how can the love expressed by Jesus reflect a God who would condemn those who never had a real chance to understand and believe? For that matter, why would He hide himself and leave everything up to the preaching of such an imperfect representation of Jesus as what the Christian Church has been?

Jesus told his disciples, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. OK, I’ve "seen" Jesus in His Word, and the God represented by the Roman Catholic Church and all its denominational offshoots does not fit the image. The Father I see has set up this world system to teach us something about forgiveness; that it is unconditional. "Sure," you say, "if we first believe." To that I point out, once again from His Word, that "it is not of works and cannot be earned but is the free gift of God." As far as I see it, even our faith is a gift of God or else it would be another way in which to earn salvation. Jesus said, "No man can come unto me unless the Father first draws him. God gives us the faith to see and understand. Otherwise, we’re as blind to God’s truth as any idol worshipper.

Even the Calvinists understood that. That is why they surmised that God must have decided ahead of time who He would accept and who He would reject; predestinate to be saved. All the rest of His creation is doomed to fiery indignation-- eh? Once again I bring to mind the words of Jesus who forgave the adulteress and condemned her accusers, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." Sure, God has predestinated us to salvation; all of us -- ev-er-y one or else Satan is the victor. If only one of the sheep is lost, then Satan is the victor. God cannot fail. That is why I am ready to admit to being catholic in my faith. But, that does not mean Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox or any other human conception of such.

God has finally gotten it through this thick skull that His forgiveness is universal, all encompassing, lacking for nothing, available to all without any condition or exception conceived through our limited perception. God is represented by the who and what of Jesus. Anyone with half a Holy Spirit can see that has nothing to do with kissing the Signet. As such, the Dahlai Lama is closer, much closer.

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