The Normal Catholic Life...

Hello everyone,

I'm working on an idea of a book I may write someday entitled "The Normal Catholic Life." I'm not sure if there is an actual book with that title, or if one is in the making. If you know of one, please let me know. I Googled the title in quotes to see what could be found and I didn't find anything except quotes by schismatic SSPX'ers saying that as long as the Vatican allows the Novus Ordo, a "normal Catholic life cannot be lived." PHOOEY!!! I say!

The title works off an equivocal understanding of the term "normal." Webster defines normal several ways, as 'conforming to a typical standard; functioning in a natural way.' If "normal" concerning the Catholic life is governed by a standard, then which standard do we use? If we turn to the status quo, it certainly is a standard to choose, but is it truly Catholic, if by Catholic, we mean that which is part of the whole, including Christ and the Most Holy Trinity? So far, status quo Catholicism has closed the doors of many churches in the Green Bay Diocese, and will probably close many more. Is this normal? I say not if Jesus is the standard. If boring dead-head ritualism is the norm, then it's time we change the norm.

I want to propose another meaning of normal, a standard that is natural to what it means to be Catholic...supernatural. The life of Jesus Christ in us is what is normal, if we're faithful to what it means to be Catholic. I would suspect that anything that exemplifies, say CHRIST! would be normal.

As I shared in last week's class about what the Little Flower says about Purgatory, I am convinced that Catholics choose a route of mediocrity in life that does not draw people, that does not inspire people, because they see God as grace-pinching skinflint who wants purity at the expense of joy, love and life. This view of God is not our God!! He gives grace to desire a holy life and the grace to accomplish it in magnanimus ways, ways which blows our mind! He gives himself completely to us as an oath, a sacrament of salvation. Is he going to hold back so that we spend useless time suffering for that which he gives grace for us to overcome? Why settle for Purgatory when heaven is available to all who respond? That is the message of the Little Flower!

There is a rampant form of Catholicism, better a Catholic Phariseeism, which calls itself "orthodox" and has a de facto primary purpose of straining at liturgical gnats, analyzing any statement coming out of the mouths of Catholics for doctrinal purity, and consequently is destroying love. Now, I'm NOT advocating slip-shod liturgies or messy doctrine. I'm talking about taking what are important means, sound doctrine and solid liturgies, and making them ends in themselves instead of Christ and the Holy Trinity. It is mediocrity on parade, a loss of "First Love" that is pale and lifeless in comparison to a passionate love for God found in the likes of St. Catherine of Siena, who calls God her Heavenly Lover..."a Divine Madman insane with love"or "drunk with love" for His creatures.

This pervasive mediocrity, finding its home in clergy or laity alike, sets the standard for what is normal. It is this mentality that sees a vibrant joyful exuberant Catholic life as odd; as if something is wrong. Catholics who are on fire are a strange phenomenon, quirky folk whose devotion is a matter of a high strung personality trait...or even a personality disorder, or God forbid, someone who is acting "too Protestant!"

It is time for Catholics to be serious followers of Jesus Christ, beginning with ourselves, whether people join us or not--a people who are not afraid to be lumped as people who are quirky, strange, personality-disordered people. Normal means we follow the standard of Jesus Christ. And as we do, it is eternally important that we be people who will not fall into the trap of spiritual pride--a pride that takes the easy route to devotion by simply lamenting the state of the Catholic Church, false devotees who "wonders" why more people are are not devout. We need to stop this! It is futile and self-promoting; it is bragging in reverse. How do I know? BECAUSE I HAVE DONE IT. YES. I HAVE DONE IT AND IT IS A DEAD END.

The book I would write would include excerpts of the lives of saints who were joyful, charismatic, and evangelistic. It would include writings by Popes like John Paul the Great who exhorts us to non- characteristic living of the life of Christ in our own unique states in life. It would pull liturgical prayers and blessings common in the life of the Church that show HOW INTENTLY OUR GOD WANTS US TO LIVE THIS SUPERNATURAL WAY.

That's what I'm thinking...I'm wondering if it will catch on. If someone else beats me to it, more power to them!!! Or if someone wants to join me...interested?

Whata'yall think?