Balance, balance, balance…Catholic or Evangelical?

Musing away in my head, listening to the radio show about the strict punishments given out to the children in convents. Thefear that this creates, the damage this creates, the opressing and domineering of others in such painful ways. The debates about sexual abuse in the Catholic church; the pain I have seen when talking to those who are in despair and muddled over what has happened to them… makes a heart heavy with pain and despair; I cant help dropping my head and thinking… ‘surely’-

Temperance, Obedience and Holiness are attributes to strive for- BUT- this must be ‘LIFE GIVING’ and ‘LIBERATING’ not abusive and domineering and engineering  – so that peole live in fear of the wrath of God…a fear they have come to know from those who teach their own ways…and those who strive for this and  fall into sinfulness of  a nature that is so dark and destructive.

Are the rules laid down by God or us? The Gospel liberates- Christ came so that we may have life and have life to the fullest. Those who know me keep my commandments…love God and your neighbour…

The attributes that the Catholic Church promotes must be life giving-not taking. They must liberate those in and outside the church, those who hold office and those who seek to be…to the point of being evangelic and enthusiastic about them and therefore liberating.  Not Bible punching and oppressive and abusive.

Evangelical Enthusiasm that is mature- born of life giving experience- born of the experience of knowing the freedom that comes from Christ. Born in the grace that comes for all people and is there for us. An evangelical spirituality that seeks to serve- not dominate. That seeks to heal- not hurt. That seeks to love and serve- not take and abuse. That seeks Christ in all ways… 

Balance, Balance, Balance…