November 27, 2017 Chapter 14: Promised Land Promise Time
We begin the second part of We Make the Road by Walking. McLaren set the book up so that part two would correspond with Advent. Normally Advent is about 4 weeks (depending on when Christmas falls). This year, however, because Christmas falls on a Monday, the fourth week of Advent is all of one day. So we are beginning this reflection this week (before Advent begins) to give us a full four weeks until chapter 17a which we are to read on Christmas Eve and chapter 18 which we are invited to read Christmas Day.
I like the season of Advent because it is a hope-filled time. At Thanksgiving, I discovered that one of my nieces is expecting her second child. It was fun to listen to the family talk about the new baby, each of my siblings giving their best argument for why the baby should be named after them. Advent is a lot like a pregnancy--full of expectation and hope.
When McLaren talks about Isaiah he says on page 64, "The prophet saw deep spiritual corruption and complacency among his people and warned them that this kind of behavior would lead to decline and defeat." I wonder if we aren't in a deep period of complacency in our Churches today. We see people leaving the faith in alarming numbers. When asked what religion they profess, a full 23% of Americans now say "none." The "nones" are rising but we don't seem alarmed, or if we are alarmed, we don't care enough to figure out why or how we might stem that tide.
There are lots of books on this subject (from a Catholic perspective): Rebuilt; Divine Renovation; Forming Intentional Disciples. In spite of that, there does not seem to be a lot of change in the status quo.
Perhaps this Advent we need an extra dose of John the Baptist...the wild hair, the strange diet...the persistent call. The call to make ready the way for the Lord...to prepare God's path. That is the message of Advent. That is the message of Hope.
I love those images from Isaiah- the lion and the lamb, swords into plowshears, justice for the nations! I imagine every people in every period thought they were living in an unjust and deplorable time.the promise of the prophets fell short as McLaren said . Yet despite the signs of this time in our world and in our church we cling to the hope of better days and a more just world when all hope will be fulfilled. I think Faith and hope go hand in hand as we face the crisis in our church. We have to hold on to the hope of a renewed and vibrant Church that even the "nones" can't resist.
ReplyDeleteThinking of our discussion at Parish Council last night, there is no one or easy way to reach the "nones" and the disengaged. I think we just try as many ideas as we can to make our parish a warm , inviting place where all are welcomed and heard and hope we bring back the sheep one at a time.
ReplyDeleteBringing the concept of "nones" is probably a discussion I can have for at least 1 hr. From my point perspective, I see many Christians-Lite. I use christian because it's not just the Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteToo many people go to their respective churches out of habit, fashion, appearance, or obligation (check the box).
An example of this are those who as soon as they leave the church they start gossiping and complaining/judging someone.
I believe the "nones" are growing in numbers because the Church is not really acting like one. We are afraid of doing the right thing and we are comfortable believing our collection money is enough to show we are doing good.
I plan to address the "nones" situation by setting the example...good, bad, and ugly.
I agree wholeheartedly, Juan. I think too often we simply do things the way we have always done them and don't really think about what it really would take to be more attractive to the "nones." Yet, that is exactly who Jesus attracted. I agree that the best plan is to be people who truly live out our faith...as you say, the good, the bad and the ugly.
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