September 19, 2005
Shirley, one of the friends of the friars, is a member of The Church of Christ. She recently wrote offering some insights and this interesting question:
I admit that it (the Catholic Church) draws me, but The Church of Christ (her denomination) is so simple in structure and its beliefs. This is hard to reconcile with the complexities of the Church of Rome. Why has the Catholic Church made it so complicated when Christ established such a simple way?"
Shirley, thank you for such a good question. Here are some thoughts...
Some years ago, I had the pleasure of living in Harlem in the north of Manhattan just down the street from “The Gates of Pearl Baptist Church”. The church was smaller than a storefront, yet the dedicated flock who attended services every Sunday could be described as “few, faithful, and fervent”. Their singin ’ and praisin ’ Jesus was in full swing every Sunday morning by ten, which made the Saturday night party crowd feeling either angry or guilty. I remember once seeing the pastor, an elderly man who was, in fact, almost feeble. Yet, to see his smile and how his little congregation respectfully tended his needs was an inspiring sermon on true Christian fellowship and charity in itself,
As you might imagine, this little church had few financial resources, yet, what they lacked in funds they made up in faith! In this way some upscale suburban churches with wealthy congregations, expansive lawns and parking lots could be considered impoverished when compared to “The Gates of Pearl”. It is true, in some ways small and simple things in life often have an advantage over the bigger and more complex things. This is not only true in our personal lives but also in the life of the Church. I suspect even the apostles would often reminisce, remembering the “early days”. How beautiful it was, just to be with Jesus before all the problems they now had to face – the persecutions, scandals, and schisms. Indeed, everything which lives must go through a process of growth and development. Be it individuals or empires, they are conceived, brought to birth, and develop. While we look back nostalgically to our younger years, we can say our life was simpler. Yet, the question is – would we want to return? Both life’s trials and triumphs have matured us, in fact, they’ve “made us” who we are. Yes, even our mishaps and mistakes!
Let’s look at a tree, for example. It begins life as a tiny sapling on our lawn, but then it grows and becomes a large tree. Over the years it has lost its tender and almost graceful form; now it is gnarled and its thick branches are home to an almost endless array of birds, small animals, and insects. Over the years it has suffered the loss of limbs, shed oceans of leaves on the lawn, and has survived storms, blight, and even lightning. Yes, the once fragile sapling is now in full form – it’s big, it bulges and even unexpectedly breaks here and there.
Although traditionally the Catholic Church has been compared to a boat, the “bark of Peter”, I imagine it more like a tree; indeed, a mighty oak. In the pages of the New Testament we see the church as a small sapling with bright tender leaves; yet now we have a mighty tree with large twisted branches reaching out to heaven and thick dark roots clawing the earth. At night it looks fearful, but in the light of the morning sun – a beauty to behold!
How we see life is how we live life; perspective is almost everything. A biologist or tree surgeon may examine an oak real close, maybe even look on the inside. If they examine the tree inch by inch, they will see the effects of its environment – the scars of many storms and the wounds of many winters. However, to see the tree in its strength and beauty, one must step back. So Shirley, with you, let us all step back a bit and see such a glorious work of God, which by His grace still stands! In the heat of the day we are refreshed, and in the storms of life we are sheltered under its broad branches! May our prayers and our faith keep her ever fresh, green and graceful!
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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