Okay I listened to this video maybe 4-5 times now and each time I have become more convinced of one thing–the young man in the video is closer to “right than wrong.” I know that is not the popular view going around the Catholic side of the blogosphere at the moment, but I think we need to listen a bit more carefully and we may be surprised to find how much we actually agree with his perceptions.
He first of all definitely believes in a personal faith in Christ, through the blood of Christ on the Cross, and in following the Church (at least as he understands it) and, most importantly, that repentance from all known sin is a condition to salvation. As Catholics we would agree.
Also if you listen to the whole poem you will also find he does believe strongly in good works and does not deny the need for them in any way. In that he is not that far from Catholicism either. Instead of ripping on him, let us pray for his understanding to grow, his continual conversion (as well as for all of us) and at least rejoice that he loves God enough to stand against the culture of sin and impurity all around him. He is taking a stand that is not exactly popular. View it with that in mind, even if you have already watched it before, and see what you think.
I would as well add that I do not think his aim is particularly at Catholics or any certain “brand” of Christianity, but perhaps liturgical “religion” in general. Many Lutherans, Presbyterians, and others would fit his mold of “religious but not truly Christian” and to be honest he has a point. We very candidly can far too easily become the Pharisees of our generation if we are not careful. Although I happen to believe strongly in the Catholic Church and all of her teachings, I would rather deal with a solid committed Protestant who actually loves Jesus than a supposedly good Catholic who views Mass as “fire insurance” and attends regularly but sleeps through it weekly. And too many fit that bill unfortunately.
Also although we as Roman Catholics teach “baptismal regeneration,” we must keep in mind that the Sacrament of baptism is only efficacious if we also follow Christ on a personal level, which means taking up his Cross daily, and to those who truly try to follow Him, should they die before they understand the need or necessity for baptism, the Church clearly makes provision for the “baptism of desire” in such cases.
As was just today pointed out to me the reverse is true also, in that a person might be baptized on their deathbed and not consciously give up their sins, or die as a baptized Christian before the age of reason, but I am talking in this post primarily here about the “norm” not those exceptions in either direction. But I digress…
The Sacraments themselves do not “save” automatically–although many in our circles seem to think that they do. They are meant to be accompanied by repentance and faith. That is what “renewing our baptismal vows” is all about, and we are invited to do so (once we reach the age of accountability) in order to allow the graces of baptism to be nurtured and take root in our lives. Each of the Sacraments then, starting with baptism and onward, therefore are again the normal vehicles of salvation but not the only ones God can use and He is not limited to using them at all. It is still Jesus and only He who does the saving.
And yes, if we understand our need for the Sacramental path to holiness but still reject it, then we are in spiritual danger of course, since that would be a matter of grave sin and not showing a love or committment to Jesus on our parts.
But ultimately it is Jesus who does save us and who even keeps us in a “state of grace,” and as the Sacred Scriptures tell us, it is always a cooperative effort–He loving us and we loving Him back. Living faith by its very nature includes works of righteousness. I think the biggest issue is to be sure not to oversimplify it as that can lead people to think its just one quick “trip to the altar” and we are all “fixed up”…but I do not think that is what he is saying here at all, although that message could get muddled if not listened to carefully. Then again going to Mass and hearing a poor homily could do the same thing.
You be the judge, but that is my take at least for now.
Related articles
- Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus – The Smackdown (patheos.com)
- Love Never Fails – The Intimate Nature of the Sacraments (PrayTheMass.org)
