Catholicism in its essence is simple, basic, clear: the love of Christ and each other, in the communion of saints (especially Mary) and the sacramental, infallible Church, with prompt responsiveness to the will of God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit in one's vocation and circumstances of life. No-frill Catholicism, in its fundamentals,is clear, simple, uncluttered.
At the same time, Catholicism in its breathtaking richness can be understood as a sumptuous, extravagant, banquet, with marvelous offerings that are available to all, free for the taking, but obligatory for no one. This is the beauty of Catholicism. So many blessings; none of them compulsory. There are so many that no one could possibly partake of them all. Here are some that come readily to mind.
1. Devotions. There are so many devotions that enrich our faith, but none are required: the rosary, stations of the cross, litany of Divine Mercy, litany of the saints. I will include the Liturgy of the Hours as "the prayer of the Church"although that has a special place of honor and is required for those in the priesthood or religious life.
2. Retreats, pilgrimages, conferences. These are special blessings and many of us have had our lives changed by them but there is nothing wrong with a Catholic who has never made a retreat or pilgrimage.
3. Spiritual reading. This is a marvelous aid to those of us of a more literary bent as it leads us fluidly into prayer. But centuries of Catholics were unable to read and many of us today have little taste for such. There is nothing wrong with that.
4. Spiritual Direction. This has sometimes considered normative for those who are serious about the spiritual life and it is certainly a great assistance to many; but again, is not required. More recent renewal movements (the Neocatechumenal Way and Communion and Liberation) replace individual direction with communal dynamics that prove fruitful and overcome an individualism that has crept into the Church.
5. Vocations of marriage, priesthood, consecrated life. These are specific, secondary calls after the primal baptismal vocation of life in Christ. Most of us are called to a "state in life" but such is not necessary for every individual. Many respond generously to Christ, live holy and fruitful lives, without such a vocational choice...for a variety of reasons. There is nothing wrong with that. But every vocation is a specific blessing; never a necessity. Always an invitation to our freedom.
6. Theological study. Very few immerse themselves in study of theology, so it is clearly not required. It is necessary, however, for the good of the overall Church that there be sound teaching, from our priests and catechists, so it is absolutely necessary that some of us give ourselves over to this task.
7. Direct work with the poor. This again is a special blessing, but not all are called to empty ourselves into the Sahara desert (DeFocault), the slums of Calcutta (Theresa), the gypsie camps of Madrid (Kiko), or the soup kitchens of Manhattan (Day.) Compassion for the poor is constitutive of the Church as such and part of every Catholic's life, for sure, but we are blessed that some are specially called. It is a mistake to moralize this precious gift into a generalized obligation. Many attain holiness while living a mainstream middle class life, but surely such holiness expresses itself in some gesture to those less privileged.
8. Charismatic gifts. I personally cherish my gift of tongues (although honestly I use it infrequently) and love all the pentecostal manifestations of the Holy Spirit manifest in healings, deliverance from evil spirits, exuberant worship, and even the weird stuff like resting and laughing in the Spirit. All of these strengthen and enrich the Church; but they are optional for the individual, not required.
9. Social activism. Here again: we need activists, politicians, movement leaders and civil servants who work energetically for the common good and the poor. But again, this is a special task. Not all are called. Many serve well by prayer,caring for the home, poetry, gardening, art...and may not even vote. And there is nothing wrong with that. It is NOT a sin to not vote. A sound Catholic sensibility resists the "totalitarianism of politics" and also entertains a variety of views and policies in pursuit of justice and care for the suffering.
10. Organizations, movements, societies of all sorts are forever flourishing in the Church, for a long or short period. Again, these are blessings for many, but required for none.
11. Penances, sacrifices, and fasting. Our greatest saints have loved these. They will always be part of the Church as Jesus said that "such demons are only cast out by prayer and fasting." They are unpopular today. They are required in a most minimal manner: the small fast and abstinence of Lent. I feel largely incapable myself of much more that the minimum required.
12. Scripture prayer and study. Historically, Catholics are vastly inferior to Protestants in their devotion to the Bible. In our defense: the liturgy, heart of our faith, overflows with scripture. Since Vatican II we have been influenced positively by our Christian brethren and deepened our love for scripture.
These are a sampling. It is a rich diet! It is sad that some Catholics suffer a "spiritual anorexia" and show little interest in any of this. Equally sad are those who are hungry but stuff themselves with "junk food": "New Age" pantheism; political messianism, mostly of the left; psychology as religion. I have had a problem of gluttony: I love this stuff and can't get enough of it. But moderation is required in all things, especially the very best. As with the natural appetite, feasting on good food can be a bad thing if the calories are not burned, if there is no exercise to balance. So: let us indulge ourselves on the rich blessings offered in the Church, but then exercise ourselves in good works. Let us energetically and confidently join Christ in his battle as he storms the gates of hell.
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