Tag Archives: catholic

The Means and The End

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The Means and The End

Stephen Coffey, the author of several business and motivational books, noted in one book that one should always, “Start with the end in mind.” Seneca, a first century Roman philosopher, stated the same principle, “If an individual knows not what harbor they seek, any wind is the right wind.” Both authors were emphasizing the same truth. If one does not clearly identify one’s goals, one is likely to be pushed by any idea or force to an endless succession of activities that lead to nothing, except activity itself.

For a Christian, the end is Jesus Christ…union with God. Yet many Christians lose sight of the end, becoming enamored with secondary objects, using Christ as a means to justify their activities. C.S. Lewis, in his delightfully engaging and compelling book about temptation, “The Screwtape Letters”, noted that Satan is expert at tempting man into concentrating on non-essential issues, at the expense of man’s relationship with God. Lewis’ Screwtape (Satan’s helper) instructed his fellow devil thusly. “Certainly we do not want man to allow their Christianity to flow into their political life, for the establishment of anything like a really just society would be a major disaster. On the other hand we do want, and want very much, to make men treat Christianity as a means, preferably, of course, as a means to their own advancement, but, failing that, as a means to anything- even to social justice. The thing to do is to get man at first to value social justice as a thing the Enemy (God) demands, and then work him to the stage at which he values Christianity because it may produce social justice.” Lewis’ devil is using a good (social justice) to distract man from his real end – God.  Prayer, the Sacraments, and a personal relationship with Christ have given way to social activism.

Within Catholicism and Christianity in general, there are many who see their roles as simply and primarily as the promoters of social welfare. God and the Church are the means and justification for any of their actions that, in their view, promote their specific social ends. Many members of the clergy in all religions, Christian and Non Christian, have subverted religion as the means to obtain goals that are the creation of man, rather than the work of God. Screwtape is indeed at work here.

The real end for all Christians – Christ – is pushed back into becoming the means.  The truth is that any semblance of social justice will be obtained only by having an absolute love for Christ. Prayer and the sacraments will help man attain that love of Christ and provide man with the courage to remain faithful despite the difficulties and challenges man faces. True justice can be obtained only if the Christian has first developed a sincere and deep relationship with God. Jesus Christ is the end, not the means!

‘If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.’  Jesus  John 8:31

Suggested Reading:

“The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis, published by Harper SanFrancisco

 

 

Horses and Religions

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Horses and Religions

Although she knew very little about horses, the young woman admired horses and was eager to join her boyfriend at the race track to watch the horses race. In fact, she was thrilled at the thought of watching these magnificent animals running at full speed, with such grandeur, power, and brilliance. The thought tantalized her; she was quivering with excitement as they approached the racing stables. The clear skies and moderate temperatures added to the anticipation of a pleasurable, exciting experience. She could not wait to enter the race grounds to watch the horses parade onto the track and then to witness the stately animals race furiously down the track.

As the two of them advanced to the paddock to evaluate the horses scheduled to run in the first race, the boyfriend scanned his iPad where there existed multiple, horse racing data bases, which contained most of the pertinent facts and figures about each of the horses competing in the race. Then his eyes would furtively check the odds on each horse, before returning to notice the behavior of each horse as they walked around the paddock. Meanwhile his girlfriend calmly enjoyed the beauty of the horses and the comfort that each jockey possessed as he guided his horse. Finally, it was time to place a bet. The boyfriend authoritatively advised her that the number 3 horse was an almost certain winner so he was placing his bet on number 3.  She replied, “I like the 5 horse; it is so beautiful and appears ready to run well.” The boyfriend shook his head in disbelief commenting, “A bad bet, but it is your money.”

“And they are off!” shouted the race announcer. The ten horses charged from the starting gate and immediately drove furiously down the track, before settling into a tempo. Both friends cheered loudly and enthusiastically as their horses passed the viewing stand. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and tension. It was a heart pumping experience as they both threw their whole being into the race. The girl friend screamed in jubilation as the announcer called her horse, number 5, as the leader, as the horses approached the finish line. “Number 5 Wins”, he thundered over the public address system. She was jubilant, jumping up and down, waving her winning ticket high in the air, and throwing a hung around her boyfriend’s neck. He was dumfounded. How could she have picked a winner on the basis of the beauty of the horse? Knowing his thoughts, she smiled and gently advised him that the night before the race she had accessed the best horse rating sites on the Internet and reviewed the pedigree of each of the horses and noticed that the number 5 horse possessed a lineage that was far superior to any of the other horses in the race. She confidently told her boyfriend, “Your horse did not stand a chance against number 5. Your horse was bred from lesser horses than was number 5. All the other measurements were secondary” She was focused on the most important factor.

There are over 34,000 Christian denominations in the world today. Not all of them possess the fullness of truth from Jesus Christ. It is true that most of the 34,000 plus denominations contain elements of the truth, but only one has been designated as possessing the fullness of truth. It is the Catholic Church. Only the Catholic Church was founded by God, Jesus Christ; all other churches had humans as their founders. Additionally, the Catholic Church is the only church which Jesus promised to be with “until the end of the age.” Despite the failures of many of its followers, including bishops and priests, the Catholic faith remains the faith founded by Jesus Christ. Jesus guaranteed that the Catholic Church would remain fiercely loyal to His teachings on faith and morals. It is His Church.

As was the case with the young woman’s analysis of the importance of the lineage of the horses in the winning of the race so also is Jesus’ connection and guarantee of the faithfulness of Catholicism to His teachings in man’s seeking the will of God.

“I am with you always, to the close of the age.”