Why be anonymous?

Although this blog is new and un-read by the teeming crowds of blog enthusiasts, I decided to begin by being anonymous.  Why? All of my posts so far have been pretty- what's the word- milk-toast. Now is the time to get real. And because I don't want to hurt anyone, I have chosen to remain incognito to protect the identities of parishioners, priests, etc.

Anyone who is the least bit curious could find out my name- there are very few Byzantine Catholic under 40 priests' wives in the U.S. Anonymity has appeal because the casual blog surfer (do people surf blogs?) may find some general truths here without being concerned about who I am specifically. In  any case- do we really know anyone on the internet? I have some favorite blogs; I know a  few of the writers personally. Reality and 'blogality' (yup- not a word) are two very different things.

So- my next post will be worthy of needing anonymity- let the fireworks ensue! (good thing no one is reading this....)

"Where do you go to church?"

"Where do you go to church?" is a frequent question I am asked by Protestant Christians. What does it mean? Of course, they could (and probably are) opening up a conversation in order to invite me to their church. We Catholics should be so bold.  

But the question is wrong- WHERE do I GO to church? Church- even for us Catholics who revel in the material nature of God-man with our icons, statues and hopefully God-leaning architecture- is a PEOPLE. We don't GO to church- we ARE Church.

Something for Everyone- except God

http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2010/09/hilarious-ad-for-progressivechurchcom.html

"Eyes on Your Own Work!"

Remember when teacher would say "eyes on your own work"? These words were never directed to me because I was a good student. God could say these words to me today. We can compare family size, obedience of said children, waistlines, fashion- the list is endless. Where does it get us? Discontentment is a sticky thing. How can I admire a friend's new paint job without allowing my mind to wander to my grubby walls?

Not easy- have your mind wander to the cross of Jesus Christ and be certain that you are focusing on Him.

Comparing oneself to others is not a godly way to live life- let's take the logs out of our eyes before we comment on the splinters in other people's eyes and

Eyes on your own work!

In the Middle

We Byzantine Catholics are in the middle- dismissed by Roman-rite Catholics and disrespected by Orthodox. The middle is a very difficult place to find oneself. Should we just align ourselves with the Orthodox; our Liturgies are basically the same. Or should we just give up our rite so that we can be accepted by the majority and remain under the authority of the Holy Father? It is my experience that many ex-Protestants who want a more theologically sound religion end up with the Orthodox; there isn't that 'problem' of submitting to the Pope. On the other hand, the Roman-rite is big and well- established. Why bother with the small Eastern rites of the Catholic Church? 

Why bother? The answer is in the name of the Church- Catholic, meaning universal. This doesn't simply mean that the Church embraces different colors and cultures. It embraces- or should- different rites. If I had a dollar for each time a 'good' Roman-rite Catholic ended a long conversation over the Byzantine rite with, "so, you are Orthodox"- I would have a lot of dollars!

So we Byzantines are in the middle- fully Catholic and fully Eastern.