Is Jesus still relevant? (better title; Shadow Chasing)
In this chapter Matthew Kelly of course answer in the affirmative. He goes on to show our basic need for happiness is found in Christ. He also shows the impact that Christ had and the rippling effect that has continued for the last two thousand years. He shows that true happiness is found only in Jesus and by following his example.
We all do search for true happiness and find it still wanting. . God said “there is no peace given unto the wicked”. Yet when we see the world searching we sometime might be incline to think they found it. Just look at all the happy people that are so successful in the world eyes. We later find out that they are having affairs, become addicts or end there own life. Jesus said “Peace I give you, not as the world gives, give I unto you”
I think a lot of what was stated in chapter three was basic Christianity 101. Happiness is found in obeying and serving. To have the attitude of Christ is to remember “That even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to but to minister and give his life a ransom for many.” This is the great paradox of which the author spoke of. In dying we live. We are called as St. Paul said “to die daily”. Mr. Kelly quotes Matt 16:24. I also like St. Luke quote from Jesus, that we must take up our cross daily and if we don’t we can not be his disciple.
So what kind of happiness can be that fulfilling? Do we actually have that type of happiness? Do we really find our completion in Christ?. Do we as St. Peter said “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” or are we like the Corinthians to which St. .Paul said “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. This is the simplicity that Matthew Kelly speaks of on page 32.
On a side note: It is kind of strange how this philosophies of Individualism has crept into Christianity (of course the type of Christianty you preach is the type of convert you get). Mr. Kelly shows towards the end of the chapter its all about the individual “Adding all of these together is still nothing compare to the impact Christ can have on your life, on my life. All the worldly success of Christ and the Church are insignificant compare to the change Christ can effect in your heart…” The greatest miracle changing water into wine (and changing dirty hearts like mine).
So it’s not really all about us but we have to have that personal relationship with Christ to be able to have that joy and to share in his sufferings.
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Thank you, anonymous introducer. I think you did a better job of explaining Mr Kelly's message than Mr Kelly did himself!
ReplyDelete"Shadow Chasing" would have indeed been a better title than the one Mr Kelly chose. By titling "Is Jesus still relevant", he had to leap about a bit too much, and his overall message got a little lost.
This discussion is particularly relevant on this day, the Feast of the Transfiguration, when Jesus revealed, among other things, that this life (even His mortal Life) was a mere shadow of the things to come; where his Glorified Body was his most True Self.
(the Kontakion of the Feast says it best:
"On the Mountain Thou wast Transfigured, O Christ God,
And Thy disciples beheld Thy glory *as far as they could see it*;
So that when they would behold Thee crucified,
They would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That *Thou art truly the Radiance of the Father!*")
Anyway, our worldly happiness, that which we seek from moment to moment is also a mere shadow of the happiness we shall experience in our Salvation. This is the happiness which we really seek, and for which Christ came.
It is here where I think Kelly digressed. He sets out to define our role in achieving that happiness/salvation, but falls into a little bit of a Pelagian trap (don't we all!):
No objection to the first part: As disciples (def: ones who follow, learn from, and emulate a master), we are called to practice "discipline" (def: systematic instruction given to a disciple. 2) Marine Corps def: instant willingness and obedience to all orders, respect for authority, and self reliance). The "disciplines" that Christ preaches are Prayer, Fasting, Penance, Worship (Latreia) alms, and ultimately, loving our neighbors as ourselves. With the *aid of the Holy Spirit*, we do these things to help attain a True Communion (koinonia) with God in Heaven (our truest happiness). Absolutely.
Kelly tries to tie in the previous chapter here with a discourse on Christian Freedom. I have some objections, though, with his conclusions.
What IS the Roman Catholic position on Christian Freedom anyway? Google just pointed me to sites regarding religious and political freedom in autocratic countries. This was a very important point during the reformation, where the freedom was viewed as "freedom from the Law" as opposed t freedom of the will. Kelly equates it instead to "ownership of the self". Is that the RCC position? I have never seen that anywhere. In the East, our view is (I think) more compatible with Traditional Catholic Belief: Freedom in the NT is freedom from the bondage of Sin and Death (cf Jn 8:34) through Christ's Death and Ressurection. It is for THIS, that Jesus is relevant yesterday, today, and always.
Kelly goes on and lists a variety of reasons that Christ through His Church has been a positive force in history, and sums it up correctly: "All the worldly success of Christ and the Church are insignificant compared to the change that Christ can effect in your heart...") This sentence probably would have tied in his previous chapters better than his digression about Christian Freedom.
By truly letting Christ in to change our hearts, our hapless forays into individual glorification, hedonism, and minimalism will disappear. By being "Bondservants of our Lord Jesus Christ", we can stop being slaves to sin. This, I think, was the message of this chapter, and one to which we should always pay attention.
A Blessed Feast Day to you all.
Patrick
Patrick. The catholic position is also freedom means freedom to choose the good which means freedom fromsin and to be wholly and authentically human. To be fully human then is indeed to perfectly reflect Christ. Martha
ReplyDeleteThanks, "Martha".
ReplyDeleteJust some quick random thoughts. I enjoyed the post and the comments. I agree that Kelly did "leap about a bit too much" in this chapter. I did very much appreciate his emphasis on the role of discipline, though, both in our lives in general and our faith in particular. Too often I think we want our faith to deepen but are not disciplined enough to make the daily commitments necessary for this.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to the Catholic position on Christian freedom, the Catechism of the Catholic Church as always provides us with excellent answers and a broad overview. I found 1730-1748 especially helpful. Surely "possession of self" only comes through faith in the message of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and the discipline required to nurture and practice that faith.
Reading about the Jewish scholar's comments on the influence of "this man we call Jesus" brings up C.S. Lewis's well known rebuttal to this way of thinking. To paraphrase, Jesus was either who he said he was - the Son of God - or a liar, or a lunatic. Take your pick, and if it's not the first option, let's not talk about him as a great teacher or spiritual guide.
For those that do not subscribe to the monthly publication "Magnificat" I highly recommend it (and can send a free copy your way if you want). I mention it now because today's little essay touches on freedom.
- John Paul
Just a quick thought...on page 32 Kelley says, regarding all the confusion of our world, that there is understanding in the Gospel, and that it is through the Gospel that we find Salvation and therefore the happiness that we all seek. As I read that it seemed incomplete. My mind went instantly to the Protestant frame of mind which would cheerfully agree that that is all that is needed. "I believe in the Gospel, have said the sinner's prayer and I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior." End of story.
ReplyDeleteNOT so fast! In this there is endless confusion, misunderstanding, and unhappiness. Witness the continuing schism of the Protestant Church with now some 40,000 Denominations. I would say there is just a little confusion going around based on a Gospel only outlook. Christ left us a living Church, not a library.
I would add to the understanding of the Gospel the notion that the right acceptance of and participation in the Sacraments as presented by Christ's Church on earth is essential. Without the actual belief of and participation in the Sacramental Mysteries we are lost and unable to find this true happiness. It is only by being continually fed by his Body and Blood at the Holy Mass, in making good and faithful Confessions and by living out our Marriage vows with Christ in mind and heart that we edge closer to that true happiness that we all seek.
Luke
Well put Luke. Thanks for the additional insight.
ReplyDelete