So good. Doctrine rarely leads one to a relationship- of any kind. My husband and I saw an 200 year old carving of a rabbi in prayer and it stopped and silenced us - 35 years later we still remember the gasp out of our hearts!
This is so so good. I think this is the fatal flaw of our now dominant Protestant theology, with an anti-work sentiment that profoundly misunderstands the human need for participation in shared ritual and habit that expresses the reality we believe
Lex orandi, Lex credendi. As we pray, so we believe. It grates against our modern obsession with “authenticity” … but when we fixate on being authentic we miss the invitation to self-gift (inherently risky!)
Exactly. Authentic isn’t bad, but it can’t be solely primary. I’ve hung onto a phrase from an undergrad philosophical friend- these things, our body, our prayer, it’s all “expressive AND efficacious”. It’s always both/and, and to elevate one above the other is a fast track to tragedy.
Thanks again, Sarah, for a beautifully reflective piece. I have been moving ever closer to the conviction that faith is so much more than mere belief, and that faith springs from practice and not the other way around. I found this post inspiring, and I am ordering both Dreher and Meek’s books.
Oh, I would love to know your thoughts after reading them! I am still working my way through Meeks and I’m sure she’ll show up in future posts.
I also think you’re right, and this is part of why I love being Catholic/being in a sacramental tradition in general. We believe these actions we take are efficacious sources of grace. We don’t have to “feel it” for it to be real and yes, for it to change us and impart the gift of faith.
The Beauty Dude- one of my faves. My goodness Sarah, you were reading my mail during this whole post, Sarah! Thank you! And I think Esther has had conversations with Vervaeke- I will try to send along.
Well I obviously have to give credit where it's due - I probably wouldn't be thinking about this at all if you hadn't invited me to the reading group!!
+1 for: "re-normalize intergenerational living and do away with our cultural obsession with the nuclear family" or as my grandmother would call it "we will keep living like Mexicans".
Consider balancing Verveke with some people who know Latin. Verveke has always struck me as a modern man steeped in Ancient Greek without any knowledge of Rome and her millennia of teachings. Teresa of Avila's Way of Perfection stands out in my mind.
Also I have only begun reading Dreher this summer but he seems to be over indexed as an alarmist. Reading him has me returning to Antiqua et Nova. The Church will harness this tech for the glory of God, chatbots included.
I printed off Antiqua et nova to read today and will get back on my thoughts! I use ChatGPT on the daily for lots of things so obviously I don’t think it’s all bad, but for me the evidence is mounting that there is potential for nefarious spiritual behavior. The NYT had a very spooky article about it about 3 weeks ago. I am not big into the Persecuted Christian plot line but on this account I find Dreher convincing.
So good. Doctrine rarely leads one to a relationship- of any kind. My husband and I saw an 200 year old carving of a rabbi in prayer and it stopped and silenced us - 35 years later we still remember the gasp out of our hearts!
Beautiful! That's the way of beauty!
This is so so good. I think this is the fatal flaw of our now dominant Protestant theology, with an anti-work sentiment that profoundly misunderstands the human need for participation in shared ritual and habit that expresses the reality we believe
Lex orandi, Lex credendi. As we pray, so we believe. It grates against our modern obsession with “authenticity” … but when we fixate on being authentic we miss the invitation to self-gift (inherently risky!)
Exactly. Authentic isn’t bad, but it can’t be solely primary. I’ve hung onto a phrase from an undergrad philosophical friend- these things, our body, our prayer, it’s all “expressive AND efficacious”. It’s always both/and, and to elevate one above the other is a fast track to tragedy.
Love that! We need those reminders!
Thanks again, Sarah, for a beautifully reflective piece. I have been moving ever closer to the conviction that faith is so much more than mere belief, and that faith springs from practice and not the other way around. I found this post inspiring, and I am ordering both Dreher and Meek’s books.
Oh, I would love to know your thoughts after reading them! I am still working my way through Meeks and I’m sure she’ll show up in future posts.
I also think you’re right, and this is part of why I love being Catholic/being in a sacramental tradition in general. We believe these actions we take are efficacious sources of grace. We don’t have to “feel it” for it to be real and yes, for it to change us and impart the gift of faith.
Thanks for your thoughts!!
Excellent post Sarah.
Thank you <3
The Beauty Dude- one of my faves. My goodness Sarah, you were reading my mail during this whole post, Sarah! Thank you! And I think Esther has had conversations with Vervaeke- I will try to send along.
Well I obviously have to give credit where it's due - I probably wouldn't be thinking about this at all if you hadn't invited me to the reading group!!
+1 for: "re-normalize intergenerational living and do away with our cultural obsession with the nuclear family" or as my grandmother would call it "we will keep living like Mexicans".
Consider balancing Verveke with some people who know Latin. Verveke has always struck me as a modern man steeped in Ancient Greek without any knowledge of Rome and her millennia of teachings. Teresa of Avila's Way of Perfection stands out in my mind.
Also I have only begun reading Dreher this summer but he seems to be over indexed as an alarmist. Reading him has me returning to Antiqua et Nova. The Church will harness this tech for the glory of God, chatbots included.
Haha I love that!
I printed off Antiqua et nova to read today and will get back on my thoughts! I use ChatGPT on the daily for lots of things so obviously I don’t think it’s all bad, but for me the evidence is mounting that there is potential for nefarious spiritual behavior. The NYT had a very spooky article about it about 3 weeks ago. I am not big into the Persecuted Christian plot line but on this account I find Dreher convincing.