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Friends in Truth

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Friends in the Truth

Drinking their coffee slowly, savoring each sip of their drinks, the two men in their late 20s were enjoying their discussion about truth and God. One was of average height, slight of built, but not thin, with a strong wiry appearance, he might be an athlete. His sharp blue eyes spoke of intensity and commitment. Together with his athletic posture and the intensity in his eyes, his demeanor spoke of a vibrancy that could express itself in emotive, though controlled, outpourings. Yes, he must be intense, emotive, but in control of his very self. A woman might see in him a perfect lover….but he could not be used by her. Any relationship with him would require a careful, thoughtful handling. He might be a volcano, but one who could thoughtfully control himself.  Yes, a lover, but one who could be had by only one.

The friend, who was sharing time with him, enjoying the coffee and conversation, was quite tall; he was overweight, but not fat. Possessing an unathletic posture, his slumped shoulders indicated that he may have spent many hours leaning on a desk reading books and writing detailed accounts of his thoughts about the contents of the books. His clear, contemplative brown eyes indicated a mind that paid attention to details and a willingness to question what he had read. The emotive explosive countenance in his friend was not to be found in him. He was a thinker, one who noticed every detail. He could be very aggressive and combative when he was challenged by a lazy pseudo thinker. No one could compete with is mental acuity. A woman might not be attracted to him. Yet he was also a lover. He and his friend, very different in so many ways, loved the same person…intensely so.

They both loved the same person, yet not in a competitive manner. They came to their love via different routes; one the mystic lover, the other the contemplative lover. Both loved with great intensity; they reached their state of loving through different avenues.  Each loved the object of their affection without any qualification; there was no hesitation in their commitment to one loved. The mystic and the thinker had as the object of their love and devotion- Jesus Christ, God.

It is true that many people come to love God through very diverse paths. There is no one personality type that arrives at Jesus Christ, God. Jesus founded His Church to be the avenue to Him and His Father for all types of persons. He only asked for two things – Love for God and love of one’s neighbor .Additionally, He left man His Church as the teacher and guide for all generations.

Love of God and neighbor with a faithfulness to His Church’s teachings on faith and morals are the marks of all devoted Catholics. They are the basic, indispensable requirements to be Catholic.  No compromises are allowed! The two friends, the mystic and the contemplative, shared this vision of faithfulness and love for Jesus and His Church.

Be faithful!

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