What if everything the Catholic Church taught is true? That is the provocative first sentence of The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality by Matthew Kelly. The book our parishes gifted to our parishioners and guests at Christmas Masses.
Kelly goes on to say, “We live in a culture that assumes that the Catholic church’s teachings are unrealistic, false, or bigoted. It’s time we seriously considered the other possibility. Because if it is all true – if everything the Catholic Church teaches is true – that changes everything.”
This month we started discussions on this book in English at St. Lawrence and Sacred Heart, and in Spanish at St. Lawrence. In the opening sessions, the participants probed some very important ideas. For instance, “If everything the Catholic Church teaches is true, then your life is far more extraordinary than you could imagine. What if God does have dreams and plans for your life that far exceed anything you could imagine for yourself?” We hear our priests telling us this in homilies, but do we really believe it for our own lives?
“What if the Catholic Church’s teachings on the dignity of every human person, the sanctity of marriage, and the importance of forgiveness are not just ideals but divine truths? What if the sacraments are not just ancient rituals but deeply personal encounters with God’s grace that can heal you, transform you, and guide you through life?” What if people accepted that the Church wasn’t just trying to impose rules on them that stinted their personal choice, but was passionate about helping them live their life to its full potential in peace and love?
Matthew Kelly’s big point is that if everything the Catholic Church teaches is true, it isn’t just about going to Mass on Sunday and following a set of rules, it is an incredible gift. Our Church, our sacraments, our traditions are tried and true for two thousand years. Maybe we need to think and learn about them a little more and not trust cultural attitudes that favor fads.
Scripture: This week, read Ephesians 2:19-22. What is it saying to you?
Call to Action: It isn’t too late to join the book discussions. Start one this week and pursue a richer understanding of our faith.
