“So you’re traditional….”
“No, I’m Catholic.”
“Yeah but you’re one of those traditional Catholics who care a lot about prayers and don’t like singing, right?”
BUT ALSO
“You’re charismatic”
“No, I’m Catholic.”
“Yeah but you’re more of the type who likes to pray with people and invite them to know Jesus.”
“Shouldn’t every Catholic?”
My point with this is that I sort of despise the labeling. At the same, I recognize the need to contextualize the world around us– rendering us to rely on words which always fail to capture the fullness of essence and integrity.
Nonetheless, I am peeved at the notion that traditionalism, and even charistmaticism (is that a word?), can be separated from Catholicism. Catholicism is not a buffet in which you can pick and choose according to your passing preferences. Catholicism is the fullness of truth, goodness, and beauty life has to offer– the only thing that will last unto eternity.
True Catholicism is...
Traditional–entirely occupied with integrating souls into the Sacramental life. Ensuring the Divine is worshipped in the most reverent and dignified way as dictated by the rituals we have maintained through 2000 years of existence.
Sacramental–wholeheartedly open to receive the indelible mark of Christ to be able to give God the glory He deserves and to live a life of communion with Him.
Charismatic– entirely open to the Holy Spirit and seeking to lead a life by the gifts of the Holy Spirit so His many fruits may extraordinarily bloom in ordinary life.
Missionary–wholeheartedly desiring to be united with Christ’s mission to bring all souls back to their true home the Church.
I find myself nourished by a community that celebrates the TLM, yet I do not believe TLMers have a trademark on tradition. Nor do I believe any Catholic can say they are not traditional.
When we get into a mindset of camps and labels, I question where the roots of our convictions lie. What I have learned–When they are outside of the Church and the Father’s love, we are easily manipulated by desires and unmet needs.
More to say indeed, but that’s all I have for now!
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