Remembering the stuff that is crucially important...
Friday, 16th February 2007

Dear friends,

Today, things are noticeably quieter on all the discussion communities I keep an eye on or belong to. One wishes, in some ways, it was always like this as that allows the commentaries of more substance to shine through. Regarding my comments yesterday on that mother who have birth to Catholica, I don't think my criticisms could have been better timed. The poor old CathNews board was simply inundated with right wing propoganda of the worst sort — which no one seemed to read judging by the almost total lack of responses. Even the more moderate conservative elements in that place seem to have now packed their bags and taken a break.

On our own forum, Enda and Ninja have begun a couple of strings looking at, respectively, the importation of foreign priests, and our hierarchy. Ian has written a very balanced reply on the issue of imported priests which is also worth reading. I suspect the Holy Spirit is in fact "answering" this prayer that has been sent up "praying for vocations" and the answer is "no — the old ways no longer work in the millieu we are in. You people go away and find new and more effective ways to minister to my people and bring 'the Good News' to all". One day the hierarchy might "cotton on" to what a lot in the lay community had begun to perceive decades ago now – LOL.

The harsh reality is that a religious culture that proposed the mere fronting up to a religious gathering once each week was all that was required for salvation was deficient anyway. Whatever profession, trade or calling we find ourselves drawn to the reality is that our "spirituality" ought be a sort of "umbrella" under which everything in our lives takes place. It is the constant discernment of "God's will" that ought motivate our behaviours in the workplace, the study place, the bedroom, the kitchen, the shed as well as in our cars and when we are taking a break from all of that. It's a subtle things though. Not this psychologically insecure behaviour where we are trying to suck up to God seeking the favour of heaven. It is holistic behaviour which we take on as it makes us a little more God-like, it improves our world and our communities.

I think the prevailing traditions have successfully enabled society to "remember" the wisdom and insights that God gave us through Jesus Christ. As I have argued many times in the past, I think this aspect of "remembrance" which Jesus Christ introduced at the last supper is the crucial dimension of liturgy and sacramental participation. Collectively we do need some mechanism that enables not only some elite, or priestly caste, in society to "remember" the wisdom and Divine inspiration that made us who we are. We also need some kind of collective mechanism so the great mass in society actively participate in that process of "remembering" the stuff that is crucially important for not just our survival but so that we all might eventually participate in the Divine banquet characterised by an end to unknowingness which brings with it ultimate love and ultimate peace.

Blessings on your day wherever you happen to be in the world, and in life,

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher
Catholica Australia