Old School?

I am struck, in this past Holy week, by a few comments I heard. On the one hand, some one was heard to derogatorily say that a certain Catholic was "too old fashioned in his thinking." On the other hand, there was the recent talk which was listened to attentively by those in the RCIA on Holy Saturday morning. In that talk, Bishop Fulton Sheen spoke of the devil - specifically how the "diabolic" literally is that which divides in two.

I find it interesting that not a few Catholics think that to uphold the tradition of the Church means to be "old-fashioned" or too "old school." After all, the word "tradition" comes from the latin "tradihere" which means "to hand over." Jesus handed himself over to God the Father in the Passion, not without some interior dying to self one might add. Yet, because he was obedient, even unto death on the Cross, God greatly exalted him. What then might one make of those who endeavor to uphold tradition? Are they also found in union with the exaltation of Christ by the Father? And what of those who do not hand over what was passed on to them?

To be old-fashioned, in a modern and progressive way of thinking, is folly. Why would the past have any significance if there are always new horizons to be crossed, always no mountains to face, new valleys in which to explore? Well. For those who no longer walk by sight but by the light of heaven - what the medievals called Lumen Gloriae (the light of glory) - these horizons, mountains and valleys have no real significance. That is, to quote the scripture, "Yea though I walk to through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage... (Ps 23)." The Light of Glory does not cause one to explore in places unknown, rather this light of heaven allows us to know more intensely that which has been known all along. The mystery is made clearer, and the light made more intense. I think that G.K. Chesterton put it best when, speaking about tradition, he said, "Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about." Precisely in basking in the glory of Tradition does on acknowledge the Will of Christ, and the desire of all the Saints for the Will of Christ in their own lives. Who ordained you or I to reject or change the Faith that our Catholic forebearers lived and died for?

For one who sincerely seeks Christ, there can be no life without the cross. For many of us modern day Catholics, we must be leary of becoming "Modernist Catholics" - that is, thinking that the modern world holds all the answers to our questions and doubts concerning our faith. There is far more found within the Mystery of Christ than what the world has to offer. There are far more riches to be found in accepting the Faith as it is, though we may find it a cross until we can comprehend what we are asked to believe. Unfortunately, so many parents today think that baseball, football, tennis, or many other sports hold the key to their child's future. It is something to consider: what is truly of lasting value to our children? That which certainly gives them eternal life or that which is fun for a season.

St. Paul reminds all Christians to "preach the Gospel in season and out of season." Yet I don't think he had the idea only when it was not in baseball season nor in football season nor in basketball season. We must scrutinize ourselves: what is most important in our lives? Will we catechize those around us or let the world tell us how to live our Catholic Faith. The word "catechize" comes from the Greek word which means "to echo" for this is precisely the task and goal of those who teach the Catholic Faith - parents included!

When we realize the diabolic seeks to divide us as a Catholic Church, then we must recognize the necessity to claim all that has been handed down from the Apostles and to be cautious of new innovations. This is so precisely because the Truth cannot be changed, and every manner in which we try to "re-invent" Jesus causes division. However, if new ways of thinking or communicating or understanding are proven to help to advance the Truth, then let us not be afraid to take hold of them and utilize them. Regardless, as St. Benedict of Nursia would say, "Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ."

The challenge, of course, to this statement is that we must know Christ. Prayer, then, is absolutely necessary to come to know the Resurrected Son of God. May we be inspired to seek the heart of the Church's teachings for in finding them we will find ourselves in the refuge of the Sacred Heart of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. For truly, there is no older or greater school than this ancient & Eternal school of Love which poured forth for us the greatest lesson on the cross: "Greater love has no man than this, than to pour out one's life for one's friends."