tradition
with a small "t"
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| Image Credit: NTM |
“Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I’ve always found it so.
Benedicamus Domino!”
-Hilaire Belloc
Put simply, any religion worth its weight will develop a culture around it. It is what we do as human beings to preserve something that is good. A culture is a way of living, and the way in which that "way" is passed on is tradition (not a scary word). In the Old Testament, we notice an elaborate culture that emerges among the Jewish people, a culture that is on display even to this day.
Ah, you see, the Catholic religion is no different. How much more the New Covenant--that God came to earth--should create a real and genuine way of being! Yet, Catholic culture and identity was at times more apparent in society. The last 50 years have been tough, but I notice a resurgence in Catholic identity taking place. This starts first in our liturgical celebration: for worship is truly what we have received from Christ. In worship we grow in love for our Lord, most especially in and by the gift of the Holy Eucharist. This happens in a rythme, a cycle, called the Liturgical Year, and as you probably know, we are beginning to commence a new one. What does this have to do with my reasons for being Catholic? Good question.
I am Catholic because when I look at what the religion has produced as far as culture goes, I notice two things. First, Catholicism is wholly Christocentric. Everything we do as Catholics points to Christ. We feast and fete the entire life of Christ, the life of his mother, and the life of his holy ones who have lived among us. Well, mostly we feast and fete. Historically, Catholic Christianity has also produced a general mood of penance. Meatless Fridays. Lent. Holy Week. "Offering it up". All of these make sense of the new old words: "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.”
I am Catholic because when I look at what the religion has produced as far as culture goes, I notice two things. First, Catholicism is wholly Christocentric. Everything we do as Catholics points to Christ. We feast and fete the entire life of Christ, the life of his mother, and the life of his holy ones who have lived among us. Well, mostly we feast and fete. Historically, Catholic Christianity has also produced a general mood of penance. Meatless Fridays. Lent. Holy Week. "Offering it up". All of these make sense of the new old words: "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.”
Second, I also notice the most evil and direct affront to Her tradition. Satan seems to desire, above all else, to quash this culture--the tradition of the Catholic Church lived in the lives of the people--because it is Her culture that keeps alive the intense memory of his Great Foe. In politics and theatre, men are quick to both remove the effects of Her tradition from the public view while simultaneously in the public view making a direct mockery of them. Sadly, the devil roars about in the Church seeking whom he may devour. Bishops, priests, and lay are targets all the same. And the goal, you ask?
The destruction of Catholic culture. Why? Repeat:
Because it is Her culture that keeps alive the intense memory of satan's Great Foe.
With the introduction of the new missal, begin this Advent not in rebellion to Mother Church. Rather, embrace Her, embrace the change as a way to be consonant with the Tradition (big "T"), which will help us--the people of God--to develop a more integrated tradition (little "t") that will truly "proclaim His death until He comes in glory".
Let's drink to that!
Let's drink to that!
Benedicamus Domino!
